Special counsel Robert Mueller and his team of prosecutors notched a victory Tuesday with the conviction of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on eight counts of tax and bank fraud. But the trial remained firmly focused on Manafort’s financial crimes, raising the profile of his upcoming trial in federal court in the District of Columbia as Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling continues.

The trial in federal court in Alexandria, Va., was the first for Mueller since he was tapped last year to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, and many believed that findings of guilt would provide momentum for the special counsel’s investigation, particularly as he faces repeated cries of “witch hunt” from President Trump.