Trump's ex-campaign chairman pleads not guilty to money laundering

Washington D.C. [United States], October 31 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his former business associate Rick Gates have pleaded not guilty to money laundering and other charges from special counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

Manafort was charged with conspiracy against the nation. Manafort and Gates had surrendered before the federal authorities in Washington on Monday.

According to the Hill, Federal prosecutors have requested a USD 10 million bail for Manafort and USD 5 million bail for Gates, and have sought their release on house arrest.

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..

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.

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)