The federal government’s statement of offense against Paul Manafort was released Friday, outlining the evidence underlying their case. Manafort pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against the United States and another of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Though he was charged with only two counts, the statement of offense required Manafort to admit to much of the illegal conduct alleged by federal prosecutors over the past 11 months.
The first conspiracy count details how Manafort knowingly and willfully acted as a lobbyist for Ukrainian politicians without properly registering with the Department of Justice. Manafort conceded did this work covertly and intentionally covered his tracks, subsequently lying to the Justice Department about whether he violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Manafort also admitted that he and his former business associate Rick Gates conspired to launder huge sums of money to avoid paying taxes and misled accountants about the existence of their offshore accounts. The two men subsequently lied to the FBI about these activities, Manafort conceded.
The second count explains how, between February and April of this year, Manafort conspired to obstruct justice through witness tampering. Manafort fessed up to urging his business associates on the Ukraine deal to lie to the FBI about the nature of their work.
Read the full document below.
