Grounds for starting criminal investigation related to the unlawful funds transfer | commentary of Sergiy Grebenyuk, “Kyiv Post”
What does U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump have in common with overthrown Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, now in exile under the protection of Russian President vladimir Putin? For one, both hired U.S. political consultant Paul Manafort (C), who is Trump’s campaign chairman. These ties, along with Trump’s pro-Kremlin stances and refusal to release his tax returns, have fueled speculation that the Republican candidate is hiding financial deals with Russia. In the background are handwritten ledgers seized from Yanukovych’s Party of Regions during the EuroMaidan Revolution that drove him from power. Records show $12.7 million in cash payments to Manafort from 2007-2012, allegations he denies.