Donald Trump’s campaign chairman Paul Manafort defended himself following a report by the New York Times alleging $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments in a handwritten ledger to Manafort from the former Ukrainian President Viktor F. Yanukovych’s political party.
“Once again, the New York Times has chosen to purposefully ignore facts and professional journalism to fit their political agenda, choosing to attack my character and reputation rather than present an honest report,” Manafort said in a statement obtained by NBC News.
“The suggestion that I accepted cash payments is unfounded, silly and nonsensical.”
The New York Times reported that Yanukovych’s pro-Russian government was Manafort’s main client between the years 2007 and 2012, and that he’s being investigated by Ukraine’s newly formed National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager Robby Mook made a statement in response to the report.
“Donald Trump has a responsibility to disclose campaign chair Paul Manafort’s and all other campaign employees’ and advisers’ ties to Russian or pro-Kremlin entities, including whether any of Trump’s employees or advisers are currently representing and or being paid by them,” Mook said in a statement.
The story surrounding Manafort’s connections to Yanukovych’s government comes concurrent with two issues in the Trump campaign: scrutiny for Trump’s comments about Putin, and a souring relationship with the Times.
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