11 August, 2017
Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, has tapped a new legal team to represent him as government lawyers examine possible Russian meddling in the 2016 USA presidential election, his spokesman Jason Maloni said.
Paul Manafort is searching for new legal representation as he faces an intensifying investigation into money-laundering allegations by Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller, The Post has learned.
Trump was referring to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents who searched Paul Manafort's home in Alexandria, Virginia, in the early morning hours of July 26. "I've always found Paul Manafort to be a very decent man". He says he "thought it was a very strong signal", adding: "They do that very seldom".
Trump was asked about the Manafort search during a question-and-answer session with reporters at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course. "I was very, very surprised to see it".
Mr Trump said he supports the ongoing Russia probes, including those being carried out on Capitol Hill, where multiple panels are also investigating possible collusion between Trump associates and the Russian government.
Manafort has primarily been represented by Reginald Brown of WilmerHale - the same DC law firm that employed Mueller until he was appointed special counsel in May to investigate allegations that Trump colluded with Russian Federation to win the election.
Law firm WilmerHale had been speaking on Manafort's behalf to investigators, but that relationship has ended, Maloni said.
Using a search warrant, agents appeared the day Manafort was scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee and a day after he met voluntarily with Senate Intelligence Committee staff members.
Trump said that the raid, which he considered a "tough" move, was a "very strong signal", but did not elaborate on what he believes it indicates.
"I haven't given it any thought", Mr Trump told reporters.
"To wake him up - perhaps his family was there - I think that's pretty tough stuff", Trump said. "We have an investigation of something that never took place", he said.
