U.S. prosecutors investigating possible U.S. ties to alleged corruption of Yanukovych
FBI and U.S. Justice Department prosecutors are conducting an investigation into possible U.S. ties to alleged corruption of the former president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, CNN has reported referring to multiple U.S. law enforcement officials.
The investigation also concerns the work of Paul Manafort's firm. Manafort resigned as chairman of Donald Trump's campaign on Friday.
The probe is also examining the work of other firms linked to the former Ukrainian government, including that of the Podesta Group, the lobbying and public relations company run by Tony Podesta, brother of Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.
The FBI, Justice Department and Manafort declined to comment. The Podesta group issued a statement saying it hired lawyers to examine its relationship with a not-for-profit organization linked to the ousted Ukrainian regime, CNN reported.
August 18, 2016, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) posted scans of 19 pages from the Regions Party's secret ledgers, mentioning Manafort.
The New York Times published an article about ties of Manafort with former Ukrainian leaders. The publication said that Manafort worked for the Party of Regions and its leader Yanukovych and in the period from 2007 to 2012 received large cash payments from the party's accounts.
Manafort's lawyers denied the accusations.