Countable Explains: Who's Who in the Russia Investigation

Paul Manafort

Role:

President Trump’s former campaign manager

Quote:

"I've never dealt with the Russian government, I've never had a relationship with the Russian government."

— Manafort, on his political consulting work

Latest News:

January 3, 2017: Manafort sues special counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the Department of Justice.

The appointment order that authorized Mueller as special counsel permits him to pursue "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation." Manafort's suit alleges that Rosenstein and Mueller unlawfully exceeded the authorities allowed under the law governing special counsel appointments.

"The actions of DOJ and Mr. Rosenstein in issuing the Appointment Order, and Mr. Mueller's actions pursuant to the authority the Order granted him, were arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with the law," the suit reads.

Key dates:

• June 9, 2016: Manafort attends a meeting at Trump Tower. After a series of reports and investigations, it’ll ultimately be revealed that there were at least eight people in the meeting: Donald Trump Jr.; Jared Kushner; Paul Manafort; Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya; music publicist Robert Goldstone; Russian-American lobbyist Rinat Akhmetshin; real estate developer Ike Kaveladze; a translator.

• August 14, 2016: The New York Times reports that the political party of pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had earmarked $12.7 million dollars for Manafort for consulting work. Manafort denies receiving payments from Russia and Ukraine. Manafort never registered with the Justice Department as a foreign lobbyist, which is required by law.

• August 19, 2016: CNN reports that the FBI and Justice Department are investigating U.S. ties between Yanukovych and Manafort’s firm. That same day, Manafort resigns from the Trump team.

• July 26, 2017: FBI agents raid Manafort’s Alexandria, Va. home, seizing documents and other materials related to Mueller’s investigation.

• September 19, 2017: CNN breaks the story that U.S. investigators had wiretapped Manafort under secret court orders before and after the election. According to CNN, Mueller’s team "has been provided details of these communications."

• October 30, 2017: Manafort and his aide Rick Gates surrender to Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller after being indicted (read the indictment here.) A federal grand jury is charging the pair with 12 counts, including conspiracy, money laundering,tax evasion, making false statements, and failing to register as foreign agents--all involving the tens of millions they received secretly lobbying for pro-Russian former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. This all occurred before they worked with the Trump campaign.

• January 3, 2017: Manafort sues special counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the Department of Justice.

The appointment order that authorized Mueller as special counsel permits him to pursue "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation." Manafort's suit alleges that Rosenstein and Mueller unlawfully exceeded the authorities allowed under the law governing special counsel appointments.

"The actions of DOJ and Mr. Rosenstein in issuing the Appointment Order, and Mr. Mueller's actions pursuant to the authority the Order granted him, were arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with the law," the suit reads.

Current mood:

Indicted, under house-arrest