Special counsel has spent $3.2M in 5 months on Russia inquiry

WASHINGTON – Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with President Trump’s associates has cost taxpayers at least $3.2 million, according to Justice Department records released Tuesday.

The expenditures are the first public accounting of the costs associated with Mueller’s investigation, which has resulted in charges against four former aides to Trump’s campaign.

Last week, Mueller announced charges against Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, the only aide charged who also served in his presidential administration.

Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and agreed to cooperate with Mueller’s team in the investigation.

The costs covered a five-month period from May 17 until the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

Mueller was appointed as special counsel in May after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. Comey had been overseeing the Russia inquiry. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the investigation, and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, appointed Mueller to oversee the inquiry.

The largest cost listed in Mueller’s budget statement — $1.7 million — accounted for salary and benefits for 17 attorneys. The team spent $223,643 on travel, $362,000 for rent and $733,969 for equipment.

Other Justice Department agencies spent an additional $3.5 million to support the investigation during the same time period.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, called Mueller’s costs “entirely reasonable, given the results we’ve already seen.”