Paul Manafort’s Thwarted Attempt to Impede Investigation of Alleged Association with Russian Interference

Federal judge Amy Berman Jackson rejected former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ), that sought to impede special counsel Robert S. Mueller’s probe into Manafort’s probable association with Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections, on Friday.

Manafort’s complaint, filed in earlier this year, contended that Mueller had overstepped his boundaries as special counsel when Mueller’s investigation into Manafort’s past Ukraine business transactions uncovered a possible connection between Manafort and an individual affiliated with a Russian intelligence service during the 2016 presidential campaign.

In a memorandum opinion released Friday, Judge Jackson asserted her belief that “a court should not exercise its equitable powers to interfere with or enjoin an ongoing criminal investigation when the defendant will have the opportunity to challenge any defects in the prosecution in trial court or direct appeal.”

The New York Times reports that criminal charges of money laundering, bank fraud, tax evasion are pressed against Manafort. In addition, Manafort is also being prosecuted for his failure “to register as a foreign agent in connection to work he did” for the former president of Ukraine, Viktor F. Yanukovych, who is known to be a close associate of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

According to the New York Times, court documents cite that Manafort’s wages garnered from his employment under President Yanukovych funded his opulent lifestyle of luxury cars, designer clothing, and expensive homes.

CNN states that Manafort has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges of fraudulent activity he currently faces.