The FBI’s investigation into Russian influence on American politics could bring charges against yet another former White House figure, one-time Obama counsel Greg Craig.
CNN reports:
Federal prosecutors in New York are weighing criminal charges against former Obama White House counsel Greg Craig as part of an investigation into whether he failed to register as a foreign agent in a probe that is linked to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, according to sources familiar with the matter.
In addition, these sources said, prosecutors in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York are considering taking action against powerhouse law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where Craig was a partner during the activity under examination. Prosecutors are considering a civil settlement with the firm or a deferred prosecution agreement with Skadden, these sources said.
Under federal law, Americans working as paid agents or lobbyists of a foreign government must register with the federal government and report their earnings.
The investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into Manafort and other Trump advisers centers largely on their failure to register and efforts to hide income.
Much of it relates to Manafort’s work on behalf of a former Ukrainian president who ran the country largely as a puppet of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.
CNN continues:
The inquiry into Craig and Skadden is closely linked to a case against Manafort, and details about Skadden’s work in the matter were disclosed in superseding criminal charges filed Friday by Mueller’s office against Manafort. Manafort pleaded guilty Friday to one count of conspiracy against the US and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice due to attempts to tamper with witnesses, and he agreed to cooperate with the federal government.
According to the filing, which charged only Manafort, in 2012 Manafort “solicited” a law firm on behalf of the then-president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the Ukranian government’s Ministry of Justice. The firm, which was Skadden, according to people familiar with the matter, was hired to write a report on the trial of Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister of Ukraine and political rival of Yanukovych.
Yanukovych has been charged with treason and is currently in hiding in Russia, where he is protected by the Kremlin. Manafort was a key figure in getting the 2016 Republican National Convention to water down platform language condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Prior to serving as Obama’s White House counsel, Craig was offered the position by then-President Bill Clinton in 1996. Craig would later agree to lead Clinton’s defense team during his impeachment hearing.
Craig also served as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy and was a defense attorney for attempted Ronald Reagan assassin John Hinckley.
AAN Staff
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