The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
– Focus on Ukraine –
Manafort was among the participants of a June 9, 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Kremlin-linked lawyer that raised suspicions of collusion between the campaign and Moscow.
The gathering was arranged by Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr, in hopes of receiving damaging information on Clinton.
Manafort’s indictment made no mention of Russian involvement in the US campaign, however, focusing instead on Manafort’s earlier Ukrainian ties.
A long-time political operative and consultant, Manafort was recruited in March 2016 to round up pro-Trump delegates to the Republican Party convention.
Then in June, Trump named him campaign chairman, replacing fired aide Corey Lewandowski.
But in August, Manafort resigned as Ukraine corruption investigators released files showing large payments to Manafort companies and it became clear he was under investigation in the United States over related claims.
Federal law enforcement officials were reportedly aware of wire transfers linked to Manafort as far back as 2012, when they began investigating whether he committed tax fraud or helped the Ukrainian regime — at the time close to Russian leader Vladimir Putin — launder money.
