Trump's ex-campaign chairman charged with conspiracy against US

Washington [USA], October 30 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been charged with conspiracy against the nation.

Manafort and his former business associate Rick Gates on Monday surrendered before the federal authorities in Washington.

The indictment against the two men contains 12 counts: conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, according to CNN.

Manafort was indicted under seal on Friday.

The indictments were reportedly returned by a grand jury on Friday and were unsealed after the defendants were permitted to surrender themselves, according to a statement from the FBI.

They appear to be the first charges related to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Paul Manafort and Rick Gates will make their initial court appearances before US District Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson with no cameras in the courtroom, CNN reported.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has interviewed several White House former and current officials, including former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and ex-White House press secretary Sean Spicer, according to the reports. (ANI)