BREAKING: Manafort Guilty in Fraud Trial

A jury has found former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty of eight counts of felony tax charges in a financial fraud trial.

The judge is declaring a mistrial on a remaining 10 counts after the jury failed to reach a consensus.

Why it matters

The case was the first special counsel Robert S. Mueller III brought to trial as a result of his ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the U.S.’ 2016 presidential election, and whether President Donald Trump attempted to obstruct the investigation.

The charges against Manafort were not related to his work on the Trump campaign, but rather to lobbying activities he conducted on behalf of Ukraine.

Manafort will undergo a second trial next month on seven other charges, including obstruction of justice, failure to register as a foreign agent, and conspiracy to launder money, according to the New York Times.

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—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: Victoria Pickering / Creative Commons)