Russia

The Guardian: Manafort Secretly Met With Assange

By News & Guts
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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 02: Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort leaves the Prettyman Federal Courthouse following a hearing November 2, 2017 in Washington, DC. Manafort and his former business partner Richard Gates both pleaded not guilty Monday to a 12-charge indictment that included money laundering and conspiracy.

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort secretly met with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, according to exclusive reporting by The Guardian:

“Sources have said Manafort went to see Assange in 2013, 2015 and in spring 2016 – during the period when he was made a key figure in Trump’s push for the White House.

“It is unclear why Manafort wanted to see Assange and what was discussed. But the last meeting is likely to come under scrutiny and could interest Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor who is investigating alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange speaks from the Ecuadorian Embassy on December 20, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living in the embassy since June 2012 in an attempt to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faces allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

It was only months after the 2016 meeting that Wikileaks released emails from the Democratic National Committee that had been stolen by the Russians.

The mystery surrounding Manafort deepened yesterday when the special counsel’s office revealed that the former campaign official had lied after signing his plea deal.  Manafort had agreed to answer “fully, truthfully, completely and forthrightly” questions about “any and all matters” the government wants to ask about.  Manafort was convicted in September but sentencing has been delayed pending the cooperation of. the defendant.  In wondering why Manafort would lie, speculation has mounted that he is either protecting someone or a big secret.