Challenges Faced by Paul Manafort: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Paul Manafort's life and career.

Paul Manafort is an American former lobbyist, political consultant, and attorney. He has worked on several Republican presidential campaigns, including serving as chairman of Donald Trump's campaign from June to August 2016. Manafort co-founded the lobbying firm Black, Manafort & Stone in 1980, representing various foreign leaders, including controversial figures like Viktor Yanukovych, Ferdinand Marcos, and Mobutu Sese Seko. His lobbying activities eventually led him to retroactively register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1985: BMSK signed contract with Jonas Savimbi

In 1985, Paul Manafort's firm, BMSK, signed a $600,000 contract with Jonas Savimbi, the leader of the Angolan rebel group UNITA, to refurbish Savimbi's image in Washington and secure financial support.

1989: Lobbying for Mobutu Sese Seko

In 1989, Paul Manafort was involved in lobbying for Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaïre, securing a US$1 million annual contract.

1991: Lobbying for various governments

In 1991, Paul Manafort's firm lobbied on behalf of the governments of the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, and Nigeria, earning substantial amounts.

1993: Lobbying for various governments

In 1993, Paul Manafort's firm lobbied on behalf of the governments of the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya, earning between $660,000 and $750,000 each year.

2013: Yanukovych Target of Euromaidan Protests

In 2013, Yanukovych became the main target of the Euromaidan protests.

February 2014: Ukrainian Revolution and Yanukovych's Flight

Following the February 2014 Ukrainian revolution (the conclusion of Euromaidan), Yanukovych fled to Russia.

March 17, 2014: Sanctions Against Yanukovych

On March 17, 2014, the day after the Crimean status referendum, Yanukovych was placed under executive sanctions on the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN) by President Barack Obama, freezing his assets in the US and banning him from entering the United States.

2014: FBI Starts Criminal Investigation into Manafort

In 2014, the FBI reportedly began a criminal investigation into Paul Manafort shortly after Viktor Yanukovych was deposed during Euromaidan. This investigation predated the 2016 election.

March 5, 2015: Manafort Transfers Trump Tower Property

On March 5, 2015, Paul Manafort transferred the Trump Tower property from John Hannah, LLC, into his own name to take out a $3 million loan against the property, as his income from Ukraine dwindled.

June 9, 2016: Meeting at Trump Tower with Russian attorney

On June 9, 2016, Paul Manafort, Donald Trump Jr., and Jared Kushner participated in a meeting with Russian attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya and others at Trump Tower, with the expectation of receiving damaging information on Hillary Clinton.

August 2016: Connections to Viktor Yanukovych drew attention

In August 2016, Paul Manafort's connections to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian Party of Regions drew national attention in the US, where it was reported that Manafort may have received $12.7 million in off-the-books funds from the Party of Regions.

August 17, 2016: Trump received his first security briefing

On August 17, 2016, Donald Trump received his first security briefing and shook up his campaign organization in a way that appeared to minimize Paul Manafort's role due to concerns about his Russian connections.

2016: Manafort a Person of Interest in FBI Probe

In 2016, Paul Manafort became a person of interest in the FBI counterintelligence probe looking into the Russian government's interference in the 2016 presidential election.

2016: Manafort met with Konstantin Kilimnik

In 2016, Paul Manafort met with Konstantin Kilimnik, a likely Russian intelligence officer, while he was campaign chairman.

January 19, 2017: Manafort Under Investigation by Federal Agencies

On January 19, 2017, the eve of Trump's presidential inauguration, it was reported that Paul Manafort was under active investigation by multiple federal agencies, based on intercepted Russian communications and financial transactions.

February 2017: Manafort has $12 million in home equity loans outstanding

As of February 2017, Paul Manafort had approximately $12 million in home equity loans outstanding. Loans for one home from the Federal Savings Bank of Chicago exceeded the value of the home.

March 2017: Investigation into Manafort's mortgage fraud launched

In March 2017, an investigation was launched by the Manhattan District Attorney into Manafort for 16 charges related to mortgage fraud.

May 17, 2017: Mueller Appointed Special Counsel

On May 17, 2017, Robert Mueller was appointed as Special Counsel by the Justice Department to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections, taking over the existing criminal probe involving Paul Manafort.

July 2017: New York Prosecutors Subpoena Information About Loans

In July 2017, New York prosecutors subpoenaed information about the loans issued to Paul Manafort during the 2016 presidential campaign. These loans represented about a quarter of the bank's equity capital.

July 26, 2017: FBI Raids Manafort's Home

On July 26, 2017, FBI agents, under the direction of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, conducted a raid on Paul Manafort's Alexandria, Virginia home, seizing documents and other materials related to Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

September 2017: Report of FBI Wiretapping Manafort

In September 2017, CNN reported that Paul Manafort was wiretapped by the FBI before and after the election, including when he was known to talk to President Donald Trump. Surveillance reportedly began in 2014.

October 27, 2017: Manafort and Rick Gates indicted

On October 27, 2017, Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on multiple charges arising from consulting work for Viktor Yanukovych's pro-Russian government in Ukraine before Yanukovych's overthrow in 2014, at the request of Robert Mueller's Special Counsel investigation.

October 30, 2017: Manafort Arrested by the FBI

On October 30, 2017, Paul Manafort was arrested by the FBI after being indicted by a federal grand jury as part of Mueller's investigation into the Trump campaign. The indictment charged Manafort and Rick Gates with conspiracy against the United States, money laundering, and other offenses.

November 30, 2017: Manafort Reached Bail Agreement

On November 30, 2017, Paul Manafort's attorneys said that Manafort had reached a bail agreement with prosecutors that would free him from house arrest. He offered bail in the form of $11.65 million worth of real estate.

2017: Dowd Broached the Idea of Presidential Pardon

In 2017, former Trump attorney John Dowd reportedly broached the idea of a presidential pardon for Paul Manafort with his attorneys.

January 3, 2018: Manafort challenges Mueller's authority in lawsuit

On January 3, 2018, Paul Manafort filed a lawsuit challenging the broad authority of Special Counsel Robert Mueller and alleging that the Justice Department's appointment of Mueller violated the law. The Justice Department responded, calling the lawsuit frivolous.

February 2, 2018: Department of Justice seeks to dismiss Manafort's civil suit

On February 2, 2018, the Department of Justice filed a motion seeking to dismiss the civil suit Manafort brought against Mueller.

February 22, 2018: Manafort and Gates charged with tax avoidance and bank fraud

On February 22, 2018, Paul Manafort and Rick Gates were additionally charged with crimes involving a tax avoidance scheme and bank fraud in Virginia. The indictment alleged that Manafort, aided by Gates, laundered over $30 million through offshore bank accounts between approximately 2006 and 2015.

February 23, 2018: Gates pleads guilty, Manafort maintains innocence

On February 23, 2018, Rick Gates pleaded guilty in federal court to lying to investigators and engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the United States. Manafort expressed disappointment and maintained his innocence.

February 28, 2018: Manafort pleads not guilty and is reprimanded

On February 28, 2018, Paul Manafort entered a not guilty plea in the District Court for the District of Columbia. Judge Jackson set a trial date of September 17, 2018, and reprimanded Manafort and his attorney for violating her gag order.

March 8, 2018: Manafort pleads not guilty in Virginia federal court

On March 8, 2018, Paul Manafort pleaded not guilty to bank fraud and tax charges in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Judge T. S. Ellis III set the trial to begin on July 10, 2018.

April 27, 2018: Judge dismisses Manafort's suit against Mueller

On April 27, 2018, Judge Jackson dismissed the civil suit Manafort brought against Mueller, citing precedent against interfering in ongoing criminal cases, but made no judgment on the arguments presented.

June 8, 2018: Manafort and Kilimnik indicted for obstruction of justice

On June 8, 2018, Paul Manafort and Konstantin Kilimnik were indicted for obstruction of justice and witness tampering, involving attempts to convince others to lie about undisclosed lobbying for Ukraine's former pro-Russian government.

June 15, 2018: Manafort's bail revoked

On June 15, 2018, Judge Jackson revoked Paul Manafort's bail due to obstruction of justice and witness tampering charges, ordering him held in jail until his trial. He was booked into the Northern Neck Regional Jail.

June 2018: Additional charges filed against Manafort

In June 2018, additional charges were filed against Paul Manafort for obstruction of justice and witness tampering that are alleged to have occurred while he was under house arrest, and he was ordered to jail.

June 2018: Manafort Jailed

Paul Manafort was jailed from June 2018 until May 2020.

July 6, 2018: Manafort requests venue change

On July 6, 2018, Manafort moved the court for a change of venue to Roanoke, Virginia, citing Alexandria's D.C. suburbia status, abundant and significantly negative press coverage, and the margin by which Hillary Clinton won the Alexandria Division in the 2016 presidential election.

July 10, 2018: Trial date set for Manafort

On March 8, 2018, Judge T. S. Ellis III set July 10, 2018 as the trial date after Manafort pleaded not guilty in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.

July 31, 2018: Manafort trial begins in Virginia

On July 31, 2018, Paul Manafort's trial began in the Eastern District of Virginia on eighteen charges including tax evasion, bank fraud, and hiding foreign bank accounts.

August 2018: Manafort convicted on eight charges

In August 2018, Paul Manafort stood trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and was convicted on eight charges of tax and bank fraud.

September 13, 2018: Manafort and Trump Signed Joint Defense Agreement

On September 13, 2018, it was revealed that Paul Manafort and Donald Trump had signed a joint defense agreement allowing their attorneys to share information during the Mueller investigations.

September 14, 2018: Manafort enters plea deal

On September 14, 2018, Paul Manafort entered into a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to two charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States and witness tampering.

September 2018: Trial scheduled for Manafort

Manafort's trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was scheduled to begin in September 2018.

September 17, 2018: Trial date set for Manafort

On February 28, 2018, Jackson set September 17, 2018 as the trial date after Manafort pleaded not guilty in the District Court for the District of Columbia.

November 26, 2018: Mueller reported Manafort violated plea deal

On November 26, 2018, Robert Mueller reported that Paul Manafort violated his plea deal by repeatedly lying to investigators.

December 7, 2018: Special counsel alleges Manafort lied

On December 7, 2018, the special counsel's office filed a document with the court listing five areas in which they say Manafort lied to them, which they said negated the plea agreement.

January 2019: Manafort's lawyers filing reveals meeting with Konstantin Kilimnik

In January 2019, a filing by Paul Manafort's lawyers accidentally revealed that Manafort met with Konstantin Kilimnik, a likely Russian intelligence officer, and gave him polling data related to the 2016 campaign.

January 2019: Manafort resigns from Connecticut bar

In January 2019, ahead of a disbarment hearing, Paul Manafort resigned from the Connecticut bar and waived his right to ever seek readmission.

February 4, 2019: Court hearing regarding false statements

During a February 4, 2019, closed-door court hearing, special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissmann suggested that Mueller's office continued to examine a possible agreement between Russia and the Trump campaign.

February 7, 2019: Prosecutors speculate Manafort concealed facts for pardon

On February 7, 2019, during a hearing prosecutors speculated that Manafort had concealed facts to enhance the possibility of his receiving a pardon. They said Manafort's work with Ukraine had continued after his plea deal.

February 13, 2019: Plea deal voided.

On February 13, 2019, D.C. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson concurred that Paul Manafort violated his plea deal, voiding the plea deal.

March 7, 2019: Manafort sentenced to 47 months in prison.

On March 7, 2019, Judge T. S. Ellis III sentenced Paul Manafort to 47 months in prison.

March 13, 2019: Manafort sentenced to additional 43 months in prison

On March 13, 2019, Judge Jackson sentenced Paul Manafort to an additional 43 months in prison.

May 9, 2019: Manafort disbarred from DC Bar

On May 9, 2019, Paul Manafort was disbarred from the DC Bar.

December 9, 2019: DOJ Inspector General Report Contradicts CNN Report

On December 9, 2019, the Justice Department Inspector General released a report contradicting a 2017 CNN report, noting that the FBI team overseeing the investigation did not seek FISA surveillance of Paul Manafort.

August 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee concluded Manafort's contacts a grave counterintelligence threat.

In August 2020, the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee concluded that Paul Manafort's contacts with Konstantin Kilimnik and other affiliates of Russian intelligence "represented a grave counterintelligence threat".

August 2020: Senate Committee Concludes Manafort Worked to Undermine Evidence of Russian Interference

In its August 2020 final report, the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence concluded that, as Trump campaign manager, Paul Manafort worked with Kilimnik starting in 2016 on narratives that sought to undermine evidence that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election and to direct such suspicions toward Ukraine.

August 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Manafort's Access and Influence

The fifth and final volume of the August 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report noted that Paul Manafort had direct access to Trump and the Trump campaign's senior officials. The report found that beginning around 2004, Manafort worked for Deripaska and pro-Russian oligarchs in Ukraine, influencing the 2010 Ukrainian elections.

August 20, 2020: NY County District Attorney's Office appeals dismissal

On August 20, 2020, the New York County District Attorney's Office appealed the dismissal of the charges against Manafort to the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division.

October 2020: Dismissal upheld by Appellate Division

In October 2020, a panel of the Appellate Division unanimously upheld the dismissal of charges against Paul Manafort.

February 4, 2021: NY Court declines to hear appeal

On February 4, 2021, the New York Court of Appeals declined to hear the Manhattan District Attorney's appeal regarding Paul Manafort.

April 2021: Treasury Department Confirms Pipeline from Manafort to Russian Intelligence

In April 2021, a document released by the U.S. Treasury Department announcing new sanctions against Russia confirmed a direct pipeline from Paul Manafort to Russian intelligence during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign. Kilimnik provided the Russian Intelligence Services with sensitive information on polling and campaign strategy.

February 2023: Manafort agrees to pay $3.15 million to settle civil suit

In February 2023, Paul Manafort agreed to pay $3.15 million to settle a civil suit brought by the Justice Department in 2022 regarding undisclosed foreign bank accounts.