18.07.31 Manafort

US v. Paul Manafort

Pres. Trump’s former campaign manager is the first to face a criminal trial stemming from the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Yet none of the charges against himA relate to his work on the campaign or the President.

Why It Matters:

Manafort faces 18 charges, which although unrelated to the 2016 election, are very serious; he could go to prison for the rest of his life.

Legal experts debate whether Manafort has information that could be detrimental to Pres. Trump and, if so, whether he would use it to negotiate?

Manafort & The Charges:

Accused of failing to pay taxes, not reporting income related to his work in Ukraine 2006 – 2015, as well as lying to banks about his finances.

Joined Trump campaign in March 2016 & named campaign chairman in May, before resigning less than 3 months later in August over ties to a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine.

What You Should Know:

Since the Special Counsel’s investigation began in May 2017

• Criminal charges have been handed down against 26 Russian nationals, 4 former Trump aides, 1 California man and 1 Dutch lawyer
• 5 people pleaded guilty
• NONE of the charges against former Trump aides are related to the 2016 election.

Manafort’s VA trial is expected to last about three weeks, but delays are fairly certain. Either way, his first trial should be done in time before his D.C. trial is expected to begin in mid-September.