Paul Manafort, Trump's Campaign Chair, Was Being Extorted By Ukrainian

Maybe I’m just naïve but I think it would have been nice to know that Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign chairman before his Russian connections were exposed, was also being blackmailed by a Ukrainian anti-corruption crusader. And, in fact, it was that Ukrainian’s release of a ledger showing off-the-books payments to Manafort that ultimately forced him to resign.

This information comes from a hack of Manafort’s daughter’s phone to which Serhiy Leshchenko, a Ukrainian parliamentarian, sent a number of text messages threatening to expose Manafort unless they could reach an “agreement”. One text message says, “Considering all the facts and evidence that are in my possession, and before possible decision whether to pass this to [the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine] or FBI I would like to get your opinion on this and maybe your way to work things out that will persuade me to do otherwise.” Leshchenko also mentions a 2012 meeting between an ally of former Ukrainian president and Russian favorite Viktor Yanukovych and Trump and Manafort.

Manafort denies that meeting ever took place. Manafort also claims that he did not respond to the texts, which he admits are authentic, and has denied the receipt of any off-the-books money. Additionally, Manafort admits to getting similar texts from someone appearing to be Leshchenko directly to his phone. Interestingly, it does not appear that Manafort reported these pretty clear extortion attempts to the US law enforcement. US intelligence agencies as well as the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are looking into the Trump campaign’s contacts with the Russians. Those investigations include Manafort.

I’m so glad that James Comey could spend all those resources focused on Hillary’s emails while the Trump campaign chairman is being extorted by a foreign power and there was clear evidence the Russians were tying to influence the election.