The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Former Trump aide denies charges of conspiracy against US
Indictments arise from investigation into 2016 election
Donald Trump’s ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a former Manafort business associate, Rick Gates, have been indicted on felony charges including conspiracy against the US.
They have pleaded not guilty to all charges, which also include acting as an unregistered foreign agent and several financial counts involving tens of millions of dollars routed through offshore accounts.
On a dramatic day in Washington, former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russians.
The President quickly tweeted about the allegations against Manafort, saying the alleged crimes were “years ago,” and insisting there was “NO COLLUSION” between his campaign and Russia.
Manafort and Gates appeared in federal court in Washington and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The first indictments arising from special counsel Robert Mueller’s sprawling investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Mr Trump’s 2016 election effort bring the probe into a new phase and pose the threat of a years-long prison sentence for the man who once led the President’s campaign.
But the indictment does not reference the Trump campaign or make any allegations about coordination between the Kremlin and the President’s aides to influence the outcome of the election in his favour.
It does allege a criminal conspiracy was continuing until February this year.
Mr Trump tweeted: “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 ????? ”
The indictment accused Manafort and Gates of funnelling tens of millions of dollars in payments through foreign companies and bank accounts as part of their political work in Ukraine.
It lays out 12 counts including conspiracy against the US, conspiracy to launder money, acting as an unregistered foreign agent, making false statements and several charges related to failing to report foreign bank and financial accounts.
In total, more than $75 million (£57m) flowed through the offshore accounts.