On Monday, October 30, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and former Trump campaign official Richard Gates were indicted on 12 charges involving misleading the government and laundering money.
Accused of acting as unregistered agents of the Government of Ukraine, Manafort and Gates pleaded not guilty. The collusion of the duo with the Ukrainian government and Russian contacts puts the Trump campaign under fire.
These indictments are a part of Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation into the 2016 election and whether or not there was Russian election interference. As a part of Mueller’s efforts, Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos was under investigation as well. He pleaded guilty to making a false statement to federal investigators in regards to Russian interactions within the campaign. In recently unsealed court records, he was said to have “falsely described his interactions with certain foreign contact who discussed ‘dirt’ related to emails.” Papadopoulos’ remarks are the strongest evidence tying the election to Russian interference.
Manafort and Gates were “low-level” consultants affiliated with the Trump campaign. Hired in March 2016, Manafort was initially brought in to round up delegates for the Republican National Convention. Later, he rose to campaign chairman after Corey Lewandowski was ousted. As described by John Weaver, a political consultant, he was “by far [the most important] person in [the] campaign.” Gates was a long-time business partner of Manafort who also worked to herd convention delegates.
However, in wake of the recent controversy, President Donald Trump has attempted to distance himself from the pair and specifically Manafort.
“Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren’t Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus?????” Trump tweeted Monday morning.
As a result of their Ukrainian affiliation, both Manafort and Gates generated tens of millions of dollars, which they then proceeded to launder through 32 national and international corporations, partnerships, and bank accounts. Totals estimate the amount laundered into offshore accounts as $75,000,000, with Manafort laundering over $18,000,000 for himself. None of this income was reported to the United States Treasury, allowing him to earn and spend millions unchecked.
Despite the clear flaunting of US law, neither Manafort’s nor Gates’ actions confirm Russian involvement in the election. Dealings with Russia and Ukraine have populated both of the men’s political and business history well before the campaign.
Manafort and Gates plead not guilty to nine and eight charges, respectively. They are currently under house arrest. Their trial will most likely begin in May 2018.
