2016 ELECTION/LEGAL/PAUL MANAFORT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Paul Manafort, the veteran Republican political operative and lobbyist who helped run President Trump’s 2016 campaign, is scheduled to go to trial on financial fraud charges starting on Tuesday [7-31-18] in United States District Court in Alexandria, Va. The main points to be aware of: It is the first trial stemming from charges brought by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel investigating Russia’s interference in the campaign. Prosecutors have said they do not intend to delve into questions about collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign in this case, which focuses on how Mr. Manafort handled the money he earned working as a consultant in Ukraine. The trial is expected to last at least three weeks, and a second trial is scheduled to follow starting in September. In that case, Mr. Manafort will face related charges in United States District Court in the District of Columbia.”
-Sharon LaFraniere and Emily Baumgaertner, “Paul Manafort’s Trial Starts Tuesday. Here Are the Charges and the Stakes.,” The New York Times online, July 29, 2018