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US Senator says he's '99% sure' members of Trump's team will face criminal charges US Senator says he's '99% sure' members of Trump's team will face criminal charges
(35 minutes later)
Members of Donald Trump's campaign team will almost certainly be indicted over probes into Russian meddling in the election, a US Senator has said. Members of Donald Trump's campaign team will almost certainly be indicted as a result of probes into Russian meddling in the election, a US Senator has said.
“I'm about 99 percent sure there will be some criminal charges from this investigation,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former state's attorney general.“I'm about 99 percent sure there will be some criminal charges from this investigation,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former state's attorney general.
The Judiciary Committee is one of several Congressional committees investigating possible Trump team collusion with Moscow. The committee recently asked the CIA to turn over information related to Russian meddling, and has also questioned the man responsible for an unverified, incendiary dossier of information about Mr Trump's relationship with the country. The Judiciary Committee is one of several Congressional committees investigating possible Trump team collusion with Moscow. The committee recently asked the CIA to turn over information related to Russian meddling, and also questioned the man responsible for an unverified, incendiary dossier of information about Mr Trump's relationship with the country.
Mr Blumenthal said he is uncertain if the President himself will face charges, but is convinced that other members of his campaign team will.Mr Blumenthal said he is uncertain if the President himself will face charges, but is convinced that other members of his campaign team will.
Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn "are the most prominent,” he told Politico, "but there may well be others."Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn "are the most prominent,” he told Politico, "but there may well be others."
Mr Flynn previously served as the administration's national security adviser. He resigned shortly after inauguration day, when it was discovered that he had mislead the Vice President and others regarding his conversations with Russian officials.Mr Flynn previously served as the administration's national security adviser. He resigned shortly after inauguration day, when it was discovered that he had mislead the Vice President and others regarding his conversations with Russian officials.
Mr Manafort, the President's former campaign manager, has become a central target of the investigations. The Republican consultant previously worked as a political adviser in Ukraine, helping elect a pro-Russia candidate as the country's president.Mr Manafort, the President's former campaign manager, has become a central target of the investigations. The Republican consultant previously worked as a political adviser in Ukraine, helping elect a pro-Russia candidate as the country's president.
The Washington Post recently reported that Mr Manafort had offered private briefings to Oleg Deripaska – a Ukrainian billionaire and associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin – during the campaign.The Washington Post recently reported that Mr Manafort had offered private briefings to Oleg Deripaska – a Ukrainian billionaire and associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin – during the campaign.
The Justice Department’s special counsel, Robert Mueller, is said to be investigating Mr Manafort for possible violations of tax laws, money-laundering prohibitions, and requirements to disclose foreign lobbying. FBI agents raided the consultant’s Northern Virginia home this summer, looking for evidence of secret offshore bank accounts.The Justice Department’s special counsel, Robert Mueller, is said to be investigating Mr Manafort for possible violations of tax laws, money-laundering prohibitions, and requirements to disclose foreign lobbying. FBI agents raided the consultant’s Northern Virginia home this summer, looking for evidence of secret offshore bank accounts.
Roger Stone, a longtime informal adviser to Mr Trump, told reporters on Tuesday that Mr Manafort expects to be indicted. Mr Stone said he believes this is an attempt to “flip” the consultant on other members of the Trump campaign.Roger Stone, a longtime informal adviser to Mr Trump, told reporters on Tuesday that Mr Manafort expects to be indicted. Mr Stone said he believes this is an attempt to “flip” the consultant on other members of the Trump campaign.
“I’ve known Paul Manafort for over 40 years, and I don’t believe he is going to do that," Mr Stone said, according to the New York Times. "He is not going to lie, and that would be a lie."“I’ve known Paul Manafort for over 40 years, and I don’t believe he is going to do that," Mr Stone said, according to the New York Times. "He is not going to lie, and that would be a lie."
Mr Blumenthal, however, has warned former Trump associates not to count on the President's loyalty.Mr Blumenthal, however, has warned former Trump associates not to count on the President's loyalty.
"Any witness counting on a Russia investigation pardon should think again," he tweeted last month. "Trump's loyalty is limited, witnesses can still be compelled to testify, and the pardons apply only to federal crimes.""Any witness counting on a Russia investigation pardon should think again," he tweeted last month. "Trump's loyalty is limited, witnesses can still be compelled to testify, and the pardons apply only to federal crimes."