WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBC News) – Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy chair Rick Gates surrendered to federal authorities Monday to face criminal charges in the special counsel’s Russian election probe.
Both men pleaded not guilty to the 12 charges which include conspiracy against the United States and money laundering. They are also accused of hiding tens of millions of dollars made while working as unregistered agents for the Ukrainian government between 2006 and 2016. They have been released on bail.
If convicted, Manafort and Gates could face serious prison time. Money laundering alone brings up to 20 years in prison.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who’s investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, also revealed Monday a Trump campaign advisor, George Papadopolous, pleaded guilty earlier this month to lying to the FBI.
The White House distanced itself from Papadopolous in a briefing Monday where White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, “He was a member of a volunteer advisory council that literally met one time.”
The president responded to the indictments on Twitter, saying: “Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign,” and adding “Also, there is NO COLLUSION!”
The indictment makes no mention of President Trump or alleged Russian meddling in the election.
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