Florida plays role in Manafort scheme, indictment alleges

In Monday’s news about the indictment of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, there’s a Florida angle.

Of course there is.

According to the Daily Business Review, federal prosecutors allege that Manafort, who owns a 5,231-square foot home in Palm Beach Gardens, laundered money through companies incorporated in Florida and then used some of it – $1.78 million – to make purchases from Florida businesses.

The home is listed as a mailing address for Daisy Manafort LLC, John Hannah LLC, Lilred LLC and MC Soho Holdings LLC, all listed in the indictment as four of the seven Florida companies being used in the alleged scheme.

According to the Business Review, a “home automation, lighting and home entertainment” company based in Florida received $1.3 million in wire transfers from 2011 to 2013, according to the indictment. Another unspecified Florida contractor received about $432,000 in wire transfers from 2011 to 2013, and a Florida art gallery was paid about $31,900 in two transfers made in the same time period.

Manafort and business associate Rick Gates were charged in a 12-count indictment with conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and other charges stemming from probes into possible Russian influence in U.S. political affairs. They allegedly funneled tens of millions into the U.S. from unregistered lobbying work they did for Ukrainian politicians, the government alleges.

Both men pleaded not guilty on Monday in Washington in their first court appearance.

Manafort and his wife Kathleen bought the canal-front home in Palm Beach Gardens in 2007 for $1.5 million. Manafort filed for a homestead exemption this year and has been registered to vote in Florida since 2011, according to a CBS12 report.

This story was originally published October 30, 2017 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Florida plays role in Manafort scheme, indictment alleges."