Top Trump aide received $12.7 million from pro-Russian group, documents say
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort walked around the convention floor on July 18 before the opening session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
NEW YORK » Hillary Clinton’s campaign is questioning Donald Trump’s top political aide’s ties to a pro-Kremlin political party in Ukraine, claiming it is evidence of the Republican nominee’s cozy relationship with Russia.
The New York Times reported that handwritten ledgers found in Ukraine show $12.7 million in undisclosed payments to Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign manager, from the pro-Russia party founded by the country’s former president Viktor Yanukovych. Investigators are probing whether the money was part of an illegal off-the-book system that may have also made payments to election officials, according to the Times story published Sunday night.
“Given the pro-Putin policy stances adopted by Donald Trump and the recent Russian government hacking and disclosure of Democratic Party records,” Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said in statement, “Donald Trump has a responsibility to disclose campaign chair Paul Manafort’s and all other campaign employees’ and advisers’ ties to Russian or pro-Kremlin entities, including whether any of Trump’s employees or advisers are currently representing and or being paid by them.”
The campaign stepped up criticism today by suggesting that Manafort pushed for pro-Russia changes to the Republican Party platform and by suggesting that several Trump advisers have links to Moscow.
Manafort, whose international clients have included one-time Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, denied any wrongdoing.
“The simplest answer is the truth: I am a campaign professional,” Manafort said in a statement today. “I have never received a single ‘off-the-books cash payment’ as falsely reported by The New York Times, nor have I ever done work for the governments of Ukraine or Russia.”
He added that his five-year stint as a political consultant in Ukraine ended after that country’s elections in 2014. A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign did not respond to requests for further comment.
Svitlana Olifira, a spokeswoman for Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, confirmed that documents were recovered, but cautioned that the probe was in early stages.
“It’s a bit early to say if we really will have a separate investigation related to the name of Manafort, since we are still studying it (the documents),” said Olifira. “I want to stress that his name appears there not just once, but we cannot say if he physically received the money assigned to him, as there are other signatures near his name.”
Serhiy Leshchenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker, said he believes that the ledger correctly reflected the funneling of what he called “corrupt money.”
“I’m convinced that this information is accurate and (that these) documents are genuine, because all this content can be confirmed by historical events, evidence and statements by other public figures who are on the list,” Leshchenko said.
Trump’s relationship with Russia has drawn scrutiny throughout the campaign, most recently when he encouraged hackers from that country to find Clinton’s missing emails, an apparent invitation for a foreign power to intervene in a U.S. election. Trump also has frequently praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump delivered what was billed as a major foreign policy speech today but did not mention the questions surrounding Manafort. He repeated, however, his belief that the U.S. should set aside its differences with Russia to work together to defeat the Islamic State extremist group.
Dmytro Vlasov contributed reporting from Kiev, Ukraine.
61 responses to “Top Trump aide received $12.7 million from pro-Russian group, documents say”
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This certainly explains why Mr. Trump has been slathering praise on Mr. Putin – a murderous dictator and enemy of the United States.
“I love the poorly educated!” Go Trump!
There you go again Klastri, jumping to conclusions before any facts are known. How can you say “This certainly explains why Mr. Trump has been slathering praise on Mr. Putin” when the Ukraine authorities cautioned that the probe was in early stages and “It’s a bit early to say if we really will have a separate investigation related to the name of Manafort, since we are still studying it”?
No. Mr. trump has been praising Mr. Putin – an unrepentant murderous dictator – for a long time.
Mr. Trump is psychotic.
No, No, Klastri, you aren’t getting way with this one. You said that the alleged $12.7 million in undisclosed payments to Paul Manafort “certainly explains why Mr. Trump has been slathering praise on Mr. Putin.” The alleged payments explain no such thing except perhaps in your imagination.
Ronin006 – You are going to judge what I “can get away with?” Please.
My original statements stand.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka and Putin’s girlfriend Wendi Deng Murdoch are currently vacationing together. Or as the right-wingers might call it an innocent vacation.
It was Ivanka who pressured her dad to fire Cory Lewandowski and hire Paul Manafort as campaign chairman. But to right-wingers this is still an innocent coincident.
Many are beginning to believe Trump’s tax returns will reveal dealings with Russian businessmen with close ties to Putin. But to right-wingers Putin is some kind of hero.
Clinton Cash will settle the issue. Classified emails and the Clinton Foundation are still newsworthy. Wiki wiki just warming up. HiLIARy and perjury charges are next.
Klastri, you are a liar and are overruled. You are getting away with it in your warped imagination only. Your original comment might have had some credibility had you said “might explain,” but you said “certainly explains” which leaves no doubt when in fact the payments are alleged only. Weren’t you taught that in law school?
Klastri graduated from Trump University. Tripled his net work or was that Ikefromeli?
Must be bsdetection is on vacation or his detector isn’t working.
The Clinton campaign is a disgrace. Lose to Obama? How did that happen.
With all these new emails It’s been proven she destroyed government records. katoosh!
If it looks, walks, smells and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. TRUMP is a loser and he will prove it soon.
Responding to the initial report from the Times early Monday, Manafort called the report “unfounded, silly and nonsensical.”
“Once again The New York Times has chosen to purposefully ignore facts and professional journalism to fit their political agenda, choosing to attack my character and reputation rather than present an honest report,” he said in a statement.
“The simplest answer is the truth: I am a campaign professional. It is well known that I do work in the United States and have done work on overseas campaigns as well. I have never received a single “off-the-books cash payment” as falsely “reported” by The New York Times, nor have I ever done work for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. Further, all of the political payments directed to me were for my entire political team: campaign staff (local and international), polling and research, election integrity and television advertising. The suggestion that I accepted cash payments is unfounded, silly, and nonsensical.
“My work in Ukraine ceased following the country’s parliamentary elections in October 2014. In addition, as the article points out hesitantly, every government official interviewed states I have done nothing wrong, and there is no evidence of ‘cash payments’ made to me by any official in Ukraine. However, the Times does fail to disclose the fact that the Clinton Foundation has taken (and may still take) payments in exchange for favors from Hillary Clinton while serving as the Secretary of State. This is not discussed despite the overwhelming evidence in emails that Hillary Clinton attempted to cover up,” the statement continued.
sarge22 – Mr. Manafort also characterized reports about Mrs. Trump’s (#3) plagiarism as “unfounded, silly and nonsensical.”
That was, until Mrs. Trump (#3) confirmed the plagiarism.
So much for Mr. Manafort’s accuracy.
Manafort is not on the Trump payroll. Somebody is paying him, but it isn’t the Trump campaign.
Fishy as hell!
For a Hillary buff to apply “fishy as hell” to anyone else is hilarious in itself…
I say yes. Let’s disclose all documents re this Russian connection. At the same time Clinton must disclose all documents related to the Clinton foundation and its various connections to political favors. Let’s expose both these candidates and then I can make a decision on who is the lesser of two evils. I am not one of those who think it’s cool to not vote.
I would be satisfied if the Donald just releases his tax returns. lol Since he won’t there is no way I would consider voting for him. I am not going to favor breaking tradition that goes back decades. Why would anyone?
Klastri is right: Trump has always had the business reputation of a sleazy operator. He is a dangerous megalomaniac who has taken uneducated white people for a ride. He is an entertainer. Shame on Republicans for not condemning this man long ago. They played with him and now Trump has exploded their party.
lol, as if republicans had a choice. Close to 20 candidates yet the race came down to the Donald and fabulous Ted. lol Shame the republican party has abandoned Eisenhower principles.
Hail Trump! Hail Hydra!
More like Sieg Heil TRUMP!
Following the money in the Ukraine, will usually take you to a a very dirty and unsightly place….here we go folks, Trump for President headquarters.
The Rotten Hillary people are trying desperately to deflect the attention her corruption is bringing.
This from the article.
“.Svitlana Olifira, a spokeswoman for Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, confirmed that documents were recovered, but cautioned that the probe was in early stages.
“It’s a bit early to say if we really will have a separate investigation related to the name of Manafort, since we are still studying it (the documents),” said Olifira. “I want to stress that his name appears there not just once, but we cannot say if he physically received the money assigned to him, as there are other signatures near his name.”
To accuse Manafort is typical of the mud slinging Rorren Hilkary campaign.
She should be talking about economy, terror, their lack of substance under her watch.
Yikes!!!!
And if the accusations are true, then what?
There you go again, Trump fanboys. Whenever faced with facts proving Trump is an idjiot, changing the subject to saying bad things about the other candidate.
The MEDIA reported this finding. Hillary hasn’t had time to comment yet (she will, rightfully). Meanwhile, tell us about Manafort and what a bad choice Trump made.
Manafort has lobbied for monstrous tyrants and dictators. His mafia connections may also be a problem for Trump. Trump is not legitimate and he could not care less for the uneducated white people he loves to fool.
And? What was rotten Hilliary doing? The whole thing will erupt like an impacted boil. Democrat pus everywhere.
Roger stone and Robert Morrow are about to release a new report, and the Hillary Clinton campaign is already scared!
The book, entitled The Clintons’ War on Women, goes into graphic detail about Bill Clinton’s decades of sexual assault and alleged rapes. This news could remind voters just how dangerous the Clintons are and spell doom for Hillary’s campaign.
According to the authors, Clinton’s first alleged rape was Eileen Wellstone, at age 19. In England, Clinton sexually assaulted her after they met at a bar near Oxford. Bill Clinton admitted having sex with her but “claimed it was consensual.” The victim’s family didn’t want to pursue the case, and a report filed at the time by a State Department official was ignored by superiors. Apparently, the State Department didn’t want a Rhodes Scholar to have a rape charge.
For 41 years, Hillary Clinton has worked tirelessly to discredit and destroy women like that. Since 1982, she has been hiring private detectives to look into their lives and find anything that could embarrass them. Hillary once told private detective Ivan Duda to give her the name and addresses of all of Bill’s girlfriends, so she could “get rid of all these bitches he’s seeing.”
More than once, Hillary knew about Bill’s rapes as he was committing them:
Read more: http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/every-clinton-sex-assault-victim/#ixzz4HTMAE4Bm
Of course the Donald is Legitimate. He received more votes than any republican candidate ever in the republican primary. He won primarily because the republican party no longer believes in republican values. They just believe in socialism for the rich. A pity. Shame they no longer have an Eisenhower or even a Nixon to run their party.
Sarge, what does your rant have to do with the subject matter of the article. Would you please, for once, try not deflecting.
Trump’s campaign manager works as a political consultant so if he did work for Ukraine, he did not do anything wrong. This is what he does for a living.
Meanwhile, Hillary could not do the same while Secretary of State as she was not a private citizen while an employee of the government yet, she mixed state department business with
the Clinton Foundation, which is illegal. The New York Times is just doing their usual hatchet job on Trump while giving Hillary and the Clinton Foundation, a free pass.
Say it as it is! Yes, one was a private citizen the other drawing government pay?
A very, very profitable living at that.
I call her Slam Dunk Hillary.
Okay, we get it. The lapdogs of the Clinton machine a.k.a. the mainstream media will investigate Trump and his folks while completely ignoring decades of Clinton corruption. A day of reckoning may be coming however. Old lady Clinton has obvious health issues that thus far have been buried by news outlets. There may end up being some buyers remorse if Hillary continues to stumble on stairs, experiences more coughing fits and has more “senior moments” Too late now to get Uncle Joe Biden or Bernie to be the nominee. Dem’s will just have to keep their fingers crossed that Hillary’s health doesn’t further deteriorate.
meanwhile in the real world of clinton corruption:
laureate education paid bill clinton $16.5 million between 2010 and 2014 to serve as an honorary chancellor for laureate international universities. the state department funneled $55 million in grants during female felon’s tenure to groups associated with laureate’s founder.
the female felon’s foundation received $2.3 million from uranium one and moscow paid bill clinton $500,000 while the russians sought approval for a takeover of the company from several U.S. agencies that received recommendations for approval from the secretary of state.
frank giustra funneled more than $100 million to the clinton foundation, as he and russia received approval from the state department in a deal that gave the russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States.
The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming. Wait, they’re here!
I was wondering when SA was going to continue posting the Trump/Clinton dodo again.
Another day, another ridiculous speech littered with half-truths, embellishments and some outright lies.
Donald Trump again blamed President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the rise of ISIS. He questioned his opponent’s “physical stamina” to eradicate the terrorist group. And he again interspersed what his campaign hyped as a major foreign policy speech — his third to date — with falsehoods and half-truths, promising an end to nation building abroad by obscuring his past positions on the subject.
He criticized an Iraq invasion that, contrary to his own retelling, he previously called the “right decision.” He bashed a war in Libya and a government overthrow in Egypt, both of which he supported. He lamented putting boots on the ground in the Middle East and also that the U.S. did not keep more troops in Iraq to “take the oil.” He criticized Clinton’s ties to governments of countries that deny women and gays broader human rights—and then again suggested how “nice” it would be to have improved relations with Russia, a country where gays are routinely persecuted. In speaking about the threat of homegrown terrorists, Trump again asserted — wrongly — that people saw bombs all over the San Bernardino shooter’s apartment.
Monday’s speech was riddled with the contradictions that have characterized Trump’s campaign from the get-go. But with Trump having dug himself into so deep a hole before the fall campaign has even begun — largely as a result of controversies driven by his own embellishments, misstatements and aggressive rhetoric that have become his new normal — Monday’s performance was a harsh reminder for the GOP about the depths to which his campaign has sunk.
All that stood out as new was his sedated delivery, as the beleaguered GOP nominee read slowly and haltingly as he rotated his entire body back and forth, from the teleprompter on the left to the one on the right, for more than 40 minutes. And despite his more measured delivery, Trump’s words and themes — including a proposal to institute severe tests for immigrants that went beyond his plan to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States — were again aimed more at the economically and racially aggrieved Americans already supporting his campaign than at the swing voters who could help lift him out of the doldrums.
“Political correctness has replaced common sense in our society,” Trump said. “Crime has risen to levels that no one thought … they would ever, ever see. It is a catastrophe. We have enough problems in our country. We don’t need another one.”
Recounting a series of recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. and Europe, Trump said the U.S. cannot let the evil actions of the Islamic State continue, nor can the nation allow “the hateful ideology of radical Islam” to pervade across the world.
“We will defeat radical Islamic terrorism, just as we have defeated every threat we’ve faced at every age and before,” Trump said. “But we will not — we will not, remember this — defeat it with closed eyes or silenced voices.”
After repeatedly hurling accusations last week at Clinton and Obama, stating they were the “founders” of the Islamic State, Trump turned it down a notch on Monday but still blamed them for enabling the terrorist group.
“The rise of ISIS is the direct result of policy decisions made by President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton,” Trump said, abandoning at least temporarily his moniker “Crooked Hillary.”
Trump maintained that before Obama and Clinton took office in 2009, Syria was under control and the Islamic State was near extinction.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/trump-clinton-moral-clarity-227023#ixzz4HS7WJozS
Follow us: @politico on Twitter | Politico on Facebook
Great speech today Mr Trump. HiLIARy’s classified emails and the Clinton Foundation will be her demise. Lock her up. Wiki wiki are you ready?
Ike, I know there’s a point in there somewhere. It’s just that those of us who didn’t finish high school find it difficult to sift through your nonsensical, rambling, and disjointed posts.
It’s called an editorial from politico.com. Sorry, you can’t understand a fairly straightforward article, that was at once salient and succinct. Maybe you should make up another degree? Remember now, it’s a PhD, not PHD.
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Adam, can you please suggest to Ikefromeli to keep his comments brief!
“If” true, this would be much worse than the millions Hillary and Bill received for making speeches (legally). Underhanded dealings with nefarious regimes would be much worse than Hillary carelessly emailing through a private server.
It’s already common knowledge that Trump is much worse than Clinton, to anyone with a decent education.
Another dummy bites the dust. This explains why the Chump has a har-on for Putin.
Give me your address, I’ll send you a new keyboard.
is that all, Hillary got 200 times more than a trump aide when she cozied up to the Islamic terrorist states in the middle east, and made plenty of money from them for favors that went into the Clinton foundation.
The dummy was very reserved today in his speech. He had to read from the TelePrompTer and not very animated in other words BORING.
Better not go against the Clintons. Update on the hit list;…Former United Nations diplomat John Ashe died in June 2016 under “suspicious” circumstances. He was scheduled to testify in US District Court about the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton on June 22.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffer Seth Conrad Rich was shot in the back and killed just after 4 a.m. in Washington, D.C. on July 10, 2016. He was allegedly set to talk with the FBI concerning 2016 Democratic primary fraud on July 10.
Author Victor Thorn, who wrote tell-all books about the Clintons, was found dead from a single gunshot wound on August 1.
Shawn Lucas, lead attorney in the anti-DNC fraud case against Hillary Clinton, was found dead at his home on August 8.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/3421412/hillary-clinton-implicated-in-four-mysterious-deaths-in-a-month-why-is-this-story-being-ignored/#gvgxgKe8HfCJGCgM.99
Sarge, don’t forget Vince Foster. This is life or death for the Clintons and the democrats. This is not a fair election. And the Republucans should be ashamed of themselves. Hypocrites.
That’s how the AP rolls.
Oh, we found handwritten ledgers on Syrian terrorists. They are all innocent until they are proven guilty of mass murder in a US Court. Bring them in. What? You can’t find them? Where did they go?
AA 121, come in, you are of course. Allah Akbar. Silence. Thousand virgins,
Mr. Trump seems also to be suffering from amnesia, as if all recent history began with Mr. Obama and conveniently avoiding the fact that many of the policies he denounced derive from George W. Bush. Among these policies were regime change and nation-building, which Mr. Bush pursued in Afghanistan and Iraq, and which Mr. Obama has largely abandoned.
AP ….Aledges . “Trump Aide received 12.7 Million” I suggest you read this story over again,this doesn’t prove anything ILLEGAL. I would be looking at Hillary .
This is just more Mud slinging from AP…….and another thing ,what’s wrong with improving relations with the Russians? This would be a good thing! Imagine World Peace? So why is it such a Big deal? Maybe because the Democrats were unable to get this done.
Will you please use spell check and figure out when to use capitals.
But I will say, at least you took a position, unlike Sarge, lespark and all of the others here. However, so the Democrats didn’t get world peace done, have the Republicans ever done so?
The DemocRats are getting desperate. Trump is staying on message. Unfit Hilliary is trying to convince the American people that she is more unfit that Trump. She needs to try and explain Obamacare , ISIS, Syria, Benghazi, Soros, Democratic corrupt ion at every level of government.
Reminds me of the Jimmy Stewart classic Mr. Trump goes to Washington. Story line ring a bell?
To all, more mud will be thrown before Nov……stay tuned!