Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating potential money laundering by Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, as part of his probe into Russia’s election interference, according to a report Thursday.
The Wall Street Journal says Mueller’s inquiry into Manafort, who resigned as Trump’s campaign manager in August while concerns mounted over his past work in Ukraine, began several weeks ago.
The Senate and House Intelligence Committees are also investigating possible money laundering by Manafort, the Journal says.
All three investigations are focused on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and possible ties to the Trump campaign.
The Senate Intelligence Committee is also reviewing reports from the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which tracks illicit money flows, to see if any of Trump’s business have ties to Russian interests, the Journal said.
A separate report by The New York Times on Wednesday said that Manafort was in debt by as much as $17 million to pro-Russian interests before he joined the Trump campaign in March 2016.
The Times said the debt appears to be owed by shell companies tied to Manafort’s business pursuits in Ukraine when he worked as a consultant to the pro-Russia Party of Regions.
He participated in a meeting in June 2016 with a Russian attorney promising damaging information on Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has invited Manafort to testify in a public hearing on Wednesday. He has not yet confirmed the invitation.
