NYT: Trump Manager Manafort Listed as Recipient of $12 Million in Secret Cash Payments From Ukraine

Did Trump Campaign Manager Tied to Putin-Puppet Dictator Benefit From Political Corruption, Money Laundering?

In an explosive report The New York Times reveals that Paul Manafort, currently Donald Trump’s campaign manager, is listed as the recipient of 22 “illegal off-the-books” previously “undisclosed cash payments” totaling $12.7 million according to a secret “black ledger” found by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau. While it is unknown if Manafort actually accepted the cash, it is known he represented the now-ousted Ukraine dictator Viktor Yanukovych, who has strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and is now believed to be in exile in Russia. Some reports state Yanukovych was secretly granted Russian citizenship by Putin himself.

The “black ledger” belonged to Ukraine’s ruling political party, headed by Yanukovych, and is evidence of “a corrupt network” investigators “say was used to loot Ukrainian assets and influence elections during the administration of Mr. Manafort’s main client, former President Viktor F. Yanukovych.”

The Times adds that “Mr. Manafort never registered as a foreign agent with the United States Justice Department — as required of those seeking to influence American policy on behalf of foreign clients,” although it “is unclear if Mr. Manafort’s activities necessitated registering.”

Manafort “understood what was happening in Ukraine,” Vitaliy Kasko told the Times, which describes him as “a former senior official with the general prosecutor’s office in Kiev.”

“It would have to be clear to any reasonable person that the Yanukovych clan, when it came to power, was engaged in corruption.”

Mr. Kasko added, “It’s impossible to imagine a person would look at this and think, ‘Everything is all right.’”

The Times report comes hours before Trump is scheduled to deliver a major speech on foreign policy, and and days after he repeatedly said last week, “I think it would be great if the United States actually got along with Russia,” and “During his administration, Trump will be friendly with Putin.”

Trump’s comments came “the morning after the New York Times reported that a Russian cyberattack penetrated many more of the Democratic Party’s emails than previously thought,” The Washington Post reported.

Trump has also suggested NATO is unnecessary, a position that greatly favors President Putin’s interests. He also infamously called for Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails. 

Here’s how some New York Times readers reacted to the report:

 

 

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