Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort is suing Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein after Manafort says he was improperly charged as a result of the investigation into Russian collusion.
According to CNBC:
“Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has sued special counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The suit alleges that Mueller has strayed beyond the scope of the investigation he was authorized to pursue, and argues that the charges filed against Manafort have nothing to do with the 2016 presidential election that spurred Mueller’s appointment.
“The actions of DOJ and Mr. Rosenstein in issuing the Appointment Order, and Mr. Mueller’s actions pursuant to the authority the Order granted him, were arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with the law,” the suit reads.
Manafort’s suit alleges the order appointing Mueller “exceeds the Deputy Attorney General’s authority.” All actions taken by the special counsel “must be set aside,” it reads.
The appointment order authorizing Mueller as special counsel permits him to investigate any matters that “may arise directly from the investigation.” Experts have said it gives Mueller wide latitude to determine the course of his investigation.
Manafort was indicted Oct. 27 on 12 counts related to unlawful financial dealings. He pleaded not guilty and has been contesting the charges. A trial is scheduled to begin in May.”
