Paul Manafort, once a mainstay in the Republican Party, aiding in four of the last five Republican presidential campaigns, was found guilty in a federal jury trial on eight counts: five counts of tax fraud, one count of failure to file a report of foreign bank and financial accounts, and two counts of bank fraud. A mistrial was declared in 10 other counts: three counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, and seven counts of bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy.
Manafort has strong Russian ties, and has done work with that government for decades. It was proven that he earned approximately $60 million through this 10-year employment, and hid most of it overseas to avoid paying U.S taxes. He then spent it lavishly, and found himself in financial hardship.
Ten Mistrial Charges
There was a hung jury, or mistrial, in the 10 other counts Manafort faced. The prosecution has until August 29th to decide what to do about those charges. They can either decide to drop them, or have a retrial. Though this trial is not related to the Russian probe, Mueller is the prosecutor on both, and many wonder if Manafort and Mueller will strike a deal to not retry these charges in exchange for testimony in the probe case.
Manafort must go back to prison while he awaits his next trial this September in Washington D.C. for allegedly failing to register as a lobbyist for the Ukrainian government and potentially tampering with witnesses in that case. He has been in jail since June on the witness tampering charges.
Related Resources:
- High Profile Lawyers Busted: Cohen Accepts Plea Deal, Manafort Found Guilty (FindLaw Greedy Associates)
- Paul Manafort Jailed for Alleged Witness Tampering (FindLaw Greedy Associates)
- 3 Common Types of Tax Fraud (FindLaw Blotter)
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