The Federal Government Now Owns A Condo In Trump Tower, Courtesy Of Paul Manafort
Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's onetime campaign leader, has agreed to turn over millions of dollars worth of real estate as part of a plea agreement, including an apartment in his old boss's signature tower.
Manafort agreed with Special Counsel Robert Mueller to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy against the United States and one count of obstructing justice, Mueller announced Friday. As part of the terms of his plea, Manafort is surrendering real estate holdings to the tune of $46M, including his 43rd-floor apartment in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
The federal government also seized a $3M townhouse in Brooklyn at 377 Union St., and a condo in SoHo that was reportedly being rented out as an Airbnb. Manafort also handed over a mansion valued at $7.3M in the Water Mill section of the Hamptons, according to USA Today.
The deal included Manafort pleading guilty to money laundering, tax fraud and lying to investigators. Besides the real estate, he surrendered all funds from three bank accounts and a life insurance policy.
According to Mueller, Manafort acquired many of his properties by laundering money he received while working as a political agent for oligarchs in the Ukraine before joining Trump's campaign. He led Trump through the Republican primary before his ties to Ukraine and Russia led the campaign to replace him with Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway.
