Paul Manafort, the former head of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign who had a long business relationship with a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician, was found guilty on eight criminal counts by a federal jury in Virginia today (Aug. 21), including five counts of tax fraud.
The jury could not decide on 10 more charges against Manafort, however.
Manafort and business partner Richard Gates were charged with multiple counts of criminal behavior last October, amid the federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. Most of the charges against Manafort in this trial date from before his time as Trump’s campaign manager. A separate trial in Washington DC next month will address other issues.
The jury in Virginia found Manafort guilty of five counts of tax fraud, each of which could carry a three-year sentence, and two counts of bank fraud, each of which could each carry a maximum 30-year sentence. He also was convicted on one count of failing to file on his overseas bank accounts with the US Treasury Department, which could carry a five-year sentence. The combined maximum penalty for all counts would have him face 80 years in jail.
Manafort and another former partner were charged with another seven counts in June, including making false statements, obstruction of justice, and failing to register as a foreign lobbyist, charges that will be tried in the Washington courtroom.