New York State has opened an Investigation into the Real-Estate dealings of President Trump’s former Campaign Manager, Paul Manafort, deepening the already intense Legal scrutiny of the Trump Administration.
The probe by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, one of the most outspoken critics of the President, is in a Preliminary stage. Manafort, who ran Trump’s Campaign from April to August 2016, has owned Property in the Hamptons and Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is also in the Early Stages of an Investigation into Manafort’s transactions.
The Inquiries by the two Democrats could pose added Legal peril for Manafort if Investigators find evidence of a Crime. Unlike a probe by the U.S. Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the President and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have no Authority over New York State Investigators scrutinizing whether Manafort broke State Laws. Schneiderman is responsible for enforcing New York’s Securities Laws under the Martin Act, which gives him broad powers to pursue White-Collar Crime.
"If someone’s leaking information about an investigation, that’s a crime," Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni said.
The Wall Street Journal on Friday reported on the State Investigations. The Newspaper also said the Justice Department had requested Manafort’s Banking Records from Citizens Financial Group as part of its Inquiry into whether Trump’s former Campaign Associates colluded with Russia during the 2016 Election.
Manafort stepped down amid sinking poll numbers and controversy over his past work for a Pro-Russian Political Party in Ukraine. He has offered to speak with the House Intelligence Committee about his ties to Russia and denied any improprieties in his contacts with Russian officials or intermediaries.
Manafort’s Business Dealings have featured prominently in discussions of links between the Trump Campaign and Russia. He used Cypriot bank Accounts to receive Money from Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska and Ukrainian clients, according to Court Records and former Executives at the Bank where the Accounts were kept. Manafort and Deripaska have said the Accounts were opened for Legitimate business transactions.
Two Congressional Committees, along with the FBI, are Investigating the Trump Campaign’s ties to Russia and Russia’s interference in the 2016 Election.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
