© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Manafort Indictment: Blumenthal, Former US Attorney Weigh In

Disney-ABC Television Group
/
Creative Commons
Paul Manafort speaking from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention to ABC.

One of the men who pleaded not guilty Monday in the ongoing probe of the 2016 election has deep Connecticut ties.

Paul Manafort, who served as President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, began his political career helping his father during the latter’s three terms as mayor of New Britain beginning in 1965.

The charges against him include money laundering and conspiracy. If convicted, he could serve up to 15 years in a federal prison. Senator Richard Blumenthal said the case uncovers ties between Manafort and Russia.

“We know today that the Trump presidential campaign was run by, in effect, a Russian foreign agent who is now charged with conspiring against the United States,” Blumenthal said.

A day before the indictment came down, President Trump blasted the investigation on Twitter calling it a “witch hunt” led by Democrats.

“The president can call it whatever he wishes but these indictments are a chilling story of blatant conspiracy against the United States and we need to allow the investigation to move forward without any political interference,” Blumenthal said.

Credit Frankie Graziano / WNPR
/
WNPR
Senator Richard Blumenthal speaks at a news conference in Hartford this past September.

Blumenthal used to be theUnited States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. One of his successors in the job was Stan Twardy. Now, Twardy is managing partner at a law firm in Stamford. He said that it could be awhile before anything happens legally to Manafort or Richard Gates, his business associate who was also indicted.

“You’re talking about months if not into a year from now before these guys go to trial,” Twardy said.

Twardy said a temporary trial date and a period of discovery for the defendants’ representation will be set later this week. But it could take up to 18 months in total for a complete resolution.

If the investigation were to have far-reaching implications, Twardy said that not only would special counsel Robert Mueller have to connect Manafort to Russia, but he’d have to also implicate the president.

Twardy believes that can happen if Mueller, who Twardy characterized as a “straight-shooter” who does things by the book, finds more collaborators.

“What other peripheral figures come into the forefront and what ties do they have into where?” Twardy asked.

He pointed to Monday’s reveal of the George Papadopoulos guilty plea as step in that direction for Mueller. 

Frankie Graziano is the host of The Wheelhouse, focusing on how local and national politics impact the people of Connecticut.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content