News

Robert Mueller Files New Charges Against Paul Manafort & Associate Konstantin Kilimnik

Robert Mueller on Friday filed new obstruction of justice charges against President Donald Trump‘s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his longtime associate.

Mueller Charges Paul Manafort And His Associate

The special counsel dealt charges to Manafort and Konstantin Kilimnik, Manafort’s right-hand man whom prosecutors suspect of being linked to Russian intelligence organizations.

In the Russia probe, Manafort — who was discovered to have worked for pro-Russia parties in Ukraine — has thus far been charged with illicit foreign lobbying, money laundering, and lying to federal investigators. Most recently, Mueller accused Manafort of tampering with two potential witnesses against him.

SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

According to the New York Times, the new charges against the pair reportedly pertain to an attempt by Manafort and Kilimnik to convince well-known European politicians to “vouch publicly” for former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovychwho was a pro-Russia client of Manafort’s.

Court documents reveal that Kilimnik, 48, and Manafort coordinated meetings for these politicians in the United States and in other countries as well. Manafort reportedly gave $2.4 million from offshore bank accounts to this cluster of Europeans, known as the “Hapsburg group.”

Kilimnik and Manafort allegedly told the group of men that they should make clear to investigators that their campaign activities would only be carried out in Europe, and not at any point in the United States.

According to some reports, Kilimnik started working with Manafort in 2005 for Yanukovych and other members of the former Ukrainian president’s political party and base.

Manafort has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him thus far. The latest charges against him are not related to his work as Trump’s campaign chairman in 2016. He is awaiting trial in federal court in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Former Trump adviser Rick GatesManafort’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty in the Russia probe in February and is now cooperating with prosecutors.

Kilimnik has not responded to the allegations against him but has denied having ties to Russian intelligence agencies.

Pablo Mena

Writer for upolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Share
Published by
Pablo Mena

Recent Posts

Senate Republicans Eye Passing Second Mega-Bill With Priorities That Didn’t Make It Into Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill

After President Donald Trump signed his “Big, Beautiful Bill” on July 4, Congressional Republicans are…

11 hours ago

Trump Administration Creates New Program To Increase Number Of Foreign Farm Workers, Critics Call It ‘Legalized Slavery’

Amidst growing dissatisfaction from farmers due to rising deportations of their workers, the Trump Administration…

11 hours ago

Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes, A Leader In Jan. 6 Attack, Says Esptein Case Will Cause Trump ‘Trouble’ With Base

Stewart Rhodes, the founder of right-wing militia group Oath Keepers, has demanded the release of…

13 hours ago

Trump’s New ‘Free’ Air Force One From Qatar Could Cost U.S. Taxpayers $1 Billion

President Donald Trump’s Air Force One renovation could reportedly cost up to $1 billion. According…

14 hours ago

Senate Confirms Trump Ally Emil Bove To Federal Court of Appeals Despite Multiple Whistleblower Allegations That He Committed Perjury

Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s former attorney, has been confirmed to a lifetime seat on…

15 hours ago

U.K. To Recognize Palestinian State In September Unless Israel Makes ‘Substantive’ Effort To End Conflict in Gaza

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that the United Kingdom will recognize Palestine as…

1 day ago