Paul Manafort, the veteran Republican political operative and lobbyist who helped run President Trump’s 2016 campaign, is scheduled to go to trial on financial fraud charges starting on Tuesday in United States District Court in Alexandria, Va. It is the first trial stemming from charges brought by the special counsel investigating Russia’s interference in the campaign and is expected to last at least three weeks, and a second trial is scheduled to follow starting in September. In that case, Mr. Manafort will face related charges in United States District Court in the District of Columbia.
There are 32-count indictment charged Mr. Manafort with disguising more than $30 million in overseas income by moving it through offshore accounts, lying to banks and evading taxes. The most serious charges against Mr. Manafort could carry sentences of up to 30 years each. He also faces charges of money laundering, violating a federal lobbying disclosure law and obstruction of justice. The prosecutors have provided the outline of their case in the indictment and various filings. Prosecutors intend to show that beginning in 2006, Mr. Manafort used offshore accounts and corporate entities to illegally disguise income that he used to maintain a lavish lifestyle.
Jury selection starts today.
For more: NY Times