Manafort Told To Expect An Indictment By Mueller’s Investigators: Report
Mueller sent Manafort a big message during July raid.
Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman was told by Special Counsel prosecutors to expect an indictment, according to a new report by the New York Times.
The warning of the indictment came in July when investigators raided Manafort’s Virgina home when federal agents poured through Manafort’s documents, computer files as part of their investigation.
“They took binders stuffed with documents and copied his computer files, looking for evidence that Mr. Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, set up secret offshore bank accounts. They even photographed the expensive suits in his closet,” according to the New York Times report.
According to the report, the aggressive tactics are part of the Special Counsel’s “shock and awe” strategy to deliver a message to suspects and witnesses in the investigation.
Other aggressive tactics Mueller has taken include obtaining a subpoena to compel testimony from one of Manafort’s attorneys by making the case that attorney-client privilege does not apply because either crimes had been committed or the attorney was functioning as a business partner.
The Times notes that Mueller “appears to be taking a broad view of his mandate: examining not just the Russian disruption campaign and whether any of Mr. Trump’s associates assisted in the effort, but also any financial entanglements with Russians going back several years.”
Muller’s strategy appears to be a squeeze play on Trump associates in an effort to pressure them into testifying against Trump.
“Mr. Manafort is under investigation for possible violations of tax laws, money-laundering prohibitions and requirements to disclose foreign lobbying. Michael T. Flynn, the former national security adviser, is being scrutinized for foreign lobbying work as well as for conversations he had last year with Russia’s ambassador to the United States,” the report notes.
Additionally, Donald Trump is under investigation for obstruction of justice.
Read the full New York Times report here.
