Former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a> ally, Roger Stone, has been accused of owing nearly two million dollars as unpaid federal income taxes, as per court documents.

Stone and his wife, Nadia, have been accused of using a commercial entity to "shield their personal income from the enforced collection and fund a lavish lifestyle despite owing nearly $2m in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties," as per a civil lawsuit filed in federal court on Friday in Florida.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ally-says-he-worked-with-assange-pre-election-to-spread-clinton-emails-in-abusive-twitter-tirade-13089">Trump ally says he worked with Assange pre-election to spread Clinton emails in abusive Twitter tirade</a>

The 68-year-old Republican was apparently notified about the tax bill but they "failed and refused to pay".

As per the lawsuit, Nadia has underpaid taxes by nearly $1.59 million between 2007 and 2011 and further failed to pay $407,036 in 2018 in taxes.

To hide the fraud, the couple used accounting manoeuvres, such as the commercial entity mentioned above.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-takes-down-accounts-and-pages-of-trump-ally-roger-stone-311886">Facebook takes down accounts and pages of Trump ally Roger Stone</a>

Stone, however, has rubbished the accusations and has claimed that the lawsuit is politically motivated "by blood lust and liberal hysteria," as per The New York Times. He has also vowed to fight "these politically motivated charges” and has labelled it as an "example of the Democrats weaponizing the Justice Department in violation of the rule of law."

Trump’s ally had received a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">presidential pardon</a> from the former president in December, which had helped him wipe off all his criminal convictions.

Former US President Donald Trump's ally, Roger Stone, has been accused of owing nearly two million dollars as unpaid federal income taxes, as per court documents.

Former US President Donald Trump's ally, Roger Stone, has been accused of owing nearly two million dollars as unpaid federal income taxes, as per court documents. Stone and his wife, Nadia, have been accused of using a commercial entity to "shield their personal income from the enforced collection and fund a lavish lifestyle despite owing nearly $2m in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties," as per a civil lawsuit filed in federal court on Friday in Florida. Also read | Trump ally says he worked with Assange pre-election to spread Clinton emails in abusive Twitter tirade The 68-year-old Republican was apparently notified about the tax bill but they "failed and refused to pay". As per the lawsuit, Nadia has underpaid taxes by nearly $1.59 million between 2007 and 2011 and further failed to pay $407,036 in 2018 in taxes. To hide the fraud, the couple used accounting manoeuvres, such as the commercial entity mentioned above. Also read | Facebook takes down accounts and pages of Trump ally Roger Stone Stone, however, has rubbished the accusations and has claimed that the lawsuit is politically motivated "by blood lust and liberal hysteria," as per The New York Times. He has also vowed to fight "these politically motivated charges” and has labelled it as an "example of the Democrats weaponizing the Justice Department in violation of the rule of law." Trump’s ally had received a presidential pardon from the former president in December, which had helped him wipe off all his criminal convictions.

Trump's ally, Roger Stone, owes $2 million in unpaid taxes: Reports

US President Donald Trump’s former adviser and also his friend Roger Stone, has suggested that if Trump lose out to Biden in upcoming Presidential elections, then Trump should enforce his power by declaring martial law. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">Also read | Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence</a> 
 
He also suggested to arrest Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Tim Cook of Apple, Bill and Hillary Clinton and “anybody else who can be proven to be involved in illegal activity”.

“I do not advocate preventive detention, but people who commit crimes and think they can continue to get away with it because we have two-tier justice are just wrong,” he said in an online interview.

Stone also advocated “forming an election day operation using the FBI, federal marshals and Republican state officials across the country to be prepared to file legal objections to results and if necessary to physically stand in the way of criminal activity”.

On July 11 this year, President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Donald Trump’s former adviser and also his friend Roger Stone, has suggested that if Trump lose out to Biden in upcoming Presidential elections, then Trump should enforce his power by declaring martial law.

US President Donald Trump’s former adviser and also his friend Roger Stone, has suggested that if Trump lose out to Biden in upcoming Presidential elections, then Trump should enforce his power by declaring martial law. Also read | Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence He also suggested to arrest Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Tim Cook of Apple, Bill and Hillary Clinton and “anybody else who can be proven to be involved in illegal activity”. “I do not advocate preventive detention, but people who commit crimes and think they can continue to get away with it because we have two-tier justice are just wrong,” he said in an online interview. Stone also advocated “forming an election day operation using the FBI, federal marshals and Republican state officials across the country to be prepared to file legal objections to results and if necessary to physically stand in the way of criminal activity”. On July 11 this year, President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. (With inputs from agencies)

US election 2020: Trump ally tells him to bring martial law if he loses election; recommends jailing Clintons, Zuckerberg

The US President Donald&nbsp;Trump, on Monday, announced his plans to pardon some&nbsp;"very, very important" person on Tuesday. The information was passed on by Trump to the local reporters onboard Air Force One.

"Doing a pardon tomorrow on someone who is very, very important," he said. He declined to give the name, though.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/edward-snowden-asks-to-return-to-us-trump-to-take-a-look-at-pardoning-320867">Also read:&nbsp;Edward Snowden asks to return to US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning</a>

The news came after he announced few days ago&nbsp;in a golf course press briefing that he will think about pardoning Snowden. However, after making the announcement, Trump was quick to add that the "very, very important" person will not be Snowden.

Edward Snowden, last week, expressed his desire to return to the US from Russia — where he has taken an exile — if he is promised a fair trial. He was being sought by intelligence agencies after, in 2013, in passed secret files to the news organisation accusing the National Security Agency of conducting secret&nbsp;surveillance operations on the American citizens.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-appeals-court-agrees-to-rehear-ex-trumps-aide-michael-flynns-case-317129">Also read:&nbsp;US appeals court agrees to rehear ex-Trump's aide Michael Flynn's case</a>

Trump also clarified that this person being pardoned will not be Michael Flynn — Trump's former National Security Advisor who had&nbsp;plead guilty for lying during an FBI investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign.

Last month, Trump had pardoned his advisor and longtime friend <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">Roger Stone</a>, who was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers about the Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

The US President Donald Trump, on Monday, announced his plans to pardon some "very, very important" person on Tuesday. The information was passed on by Trump to the local reporters onboard Air Force One.

The US President Donald Trump, on Monday, announced his plans to pardon some "very, very important" person on Tuesday. The information was passed on by Trump to the local reporters onboard Air Force One. "Doing a pardon tomorrow on someone who is very, very important," he said. He declined to give the name, though. Also read: Edward Snowden asks to return to US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning The news came after he announced few days ago in a golf course press briefing that he will think about pardoning Snowden. However, after making the announcement, Trump was quick to add that the "very, very important" person will not be Snowden. Edward Snowden, last week, expressed his desire to return to the US from Russia — where he has taken an exile — if he is promised a fair trial. He was being sought by intelligence agencies after, in 2013, in passed secret files to the news organisation accusing the National Security Agency of conducting secret surveillance operations on the American citizens. Also read: US appeals court agrees to rehear ex-Trump's aide Michael Flynn's case Trump also clarified that this person being pardoned will not be Michael Flynn — Trump's former National Security Advisor who had plead guilty for lying during an FBI investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign. Last month, Trump had pardoned his advisor and longtime friend Roger Stone, who was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers about the Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

Trump to pardon someone 'very, very important' on Tuesday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-spotted-wearing-a-mask-for-the-first-time-in-public-312624">Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask for the first time in public</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149367-donald-trump.jpg?itok=eesQqONz" />

Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a military medical facility outside Washington. The purpose of the visit was to meet with wounded soldiers and frontline health-care workers.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-may-sue-researcher-over-report-on-forced-sterilisation-of-uighurs-312636">China may sue researcher over report on forced sterilisation of Uighurs</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/05/11/140112-untitled-design-13.jpg?itok=aD-vo14p" />

The Global Times has reported that German researcher Adrian Zenz and a think tank -- Australian Strategic Policy Institute -- will be sued for spreading 'disinformation about China'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stones-still-a-convicted-felon-robert-mueller-defends-the-prosecutors-decision-312627">Roger Stone's still a convicted felon: Robert Mueller defends the prosecutors' decision</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149368-roger-stone.jpg?itok=uioR_H-5" />

The write-up was published on the same day when Donald Trump took to twitter to call Stone's sentence a result of a 'witch hunt'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-cases-of-covid-19-jumps-to-123-million-death-toll-crosses-556000-312625">Global cases of COVID-19 jumps to 12.3 million; death toll crosses 556,000</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/03/31/135052-us-doctors.jpeg?itok=zI5wZpDD" />

The death toll increased by 5,286 in the past 24 hours, taking the global tally of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus to 556,335, the WHO said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bollywood-megastar-amitabh-bachchan-son-abhishek-both-tests-positive-for-covid-19-312643">Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek test&nbsp;positive for COVID-19</a>

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&nbsp;

Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask for the first time in public Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a military medical facility outside Washington.

Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask for the first time in public Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a military medical facility outside Washington. The purpose of the visit was to meet with wounded soldiers and frontline health-care workers. China may sue researcher over report on forced sterilisation of Uighurs The Global Times has reported that German researcher Adrian Zenz and a think tank -- Australian Strategic Policy Institute -- will be sued for spreading 'disinformation about China'. Roger Stone's still a convicted felon: Robert Mueller defends the prosecutors' decision The write-up was published on the same day when Donald Trump took to twitter to call Stone's sentence a result of a 'witch hunt'. Global cases of COVID-19 jumps to 12.3 million; death toll crosses 556,000 The death toll increased by 5,286 in the past 24 hours, taking the global tally of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus to 556,335, the WHO said. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek test positive for COVID-19 ×

Morning news brief: Trump finally wears mask, COVID-19 cases reach 12.3 million and more

Few hours after the US President Donald Trump commuted the jail sentence for Roger Stone and the White House called him a 'free man', former special counsel Robert Mueller has come out to defend his officer's prosecution and said that Stone is still a convicted felon.

Talking about Stone's misdeed, Mueller wrote, "Congress also investigated and sought information from Stone. A jury later determined he lied repeatedly to members of Congress. He lied about the identity of his intermediary to WikiLeaks. He lied about the existence of written communications with his intermediary. He lied by denying he had communicated with the Trump campaign about the timing of WikiLeaks' releases. He in fact updated senior campaign officials repeatedly about WikiLeaks. And he tampered with a witness, imploring him to stonewall Congress," Mueller wrote in the op-ed piece published in the Washington Post on Saturday evening.

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The write-up was published on the same day when Donald Trump took to twitter to call Stone's sentence a result of a "witch hunt".

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Roger Stone was targeted by an illegal Witch Hunt that never should have taken place. It is the other side that are criminals, including Biden and Obama, who spied on my campaign - AND GOT CAUGHT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1281927265589309441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Mueller feels that the friendship of Stone and Trump may have benefited Stone but the truth is that Stone still is a convicted felon and "rightly so".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">Also read:&nbsp;Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence</a>&nbsp;

"The jury ultimately convicted Stone of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness. Because his sentence has been commuted, he will not go to prison. But his conviction stands," he wrote.

Defending the sentence, Mueller said the decision was taken after gathering all the facts and information. He further added that all the investigators and prosecutors behind this case acted with the highest integrity and dismissed all claims against the team of investigators and prosecutors.

"We made every decision in Stone's case, as in all our cases, based solely on the facts and the law and in accordance with the rule of law. The women and men who conducted these investigations and prosecutions acted with the highest integrity. Claims to the contrary are false," Mueller wrote.

Trump's move to commute Stone saved him from serving a 40-months long sentence in prison. The decision taken by Trump has had mixed reactions, although many believe that this was yet another move to save and assist a political ally, especially with the US Presidential elections coming up in few months.

Few hours after the US President Donald Trump commuted the jail sentence for Roger Stone and the White House called him a 'free man', former special counsel Robert Mueller has come out to defend his officer's prosecution and said that Stone is still a convicted felon.

Few hours after the US President Donald Trump commuted the jail sentence for Roger Stone and the White House called him a 'free man', former special counsel Robert Mueller has come out to defend his officer's prosecution and said that Stone is still a convicted felon. Talking about Stone's misdeed, Mueller wrote, "Congress also investigated and sought information from Stone. A jury later determined he lied repeatedly to members of Congress. He lied about the identity of his intermediary to WikiLeaks. He lied about the existence of written communications with his intermediary. He lied by denying he had communicated with the Trump campaign about the timing of WikiLeaks' releases. He in fact updated senior campaign officials repeatedly about WikiLeaks. And he tampered with a witness, imploring him to stonewall Congress," Mueller wrote in the op-ed piece published in the Washington Post on Saturday evening. × The write-up was published on the same day when Donald Trump took to twitter to call Stone's sentence a result of a "witch hunt". Roger Stone was targeted by an illegal Witch Hunt that never should have taken place. It is the other side that are criminals, including Biden and Obama, who spied on my campaign - AND GOT CAUGHT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2020 × Mueller feels that the friendship of Stone and Trump may have benefited Stone but the truth is that Stone still is a convicted felon and "rightly so". Also read: Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence "The jury ultimately convicted Stone of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness. Because his sentence has been commuted, he will not go to prison. But his conviction stands," he wrote. Defending the sentence, Mueller said the decision was taken after gathering all the facts and information. He further added that all the investigators and prosecutors behind this case acted with the highest integrity and dismissed all claims against the team of investigators and prosecutors. "We made every decision in Stone's case, as in all our cases, based solely on the facts and the law and in accordance with the rule of law. The women and men who conducted these investigations and prosecutions acted with the highest integrity. Claims to the contrary are false," Mueller wrote. Trump's move to commute Stone saved him from serving a 40-months long sentence in prison. The decision taken by Trump has had mixed reactions, although many believe that this was yet another move to save and assist a political ally, especially with the US Presidential elections coming up in few months.

Roger Stone's still a convicted felon: Robert Mueller defends the prosecutors' decision

President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone on Friday, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

Donald Trump: Roger Stone has been treated very unfairly

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

"Roger Stone has already suffered greatly," the White House said in a statement. "He was treated very unfairly, as were many others in this case. Roger Stone is now a free man!"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-takes-down-accounts-and-pages-of-trump-ally-roger-stone-311886">Also read:&nbsp;Facebook takes down accounts and pages of Trump ally Roger Stone</a>

Stone, 67, was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia, to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months for lying under oath to US lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

A commutation does not erase a criminal conviction as a pardon does.

The veteran Republican political operative`s friendship with Trump dates back decades.

Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 race to boost Trump`s candidacy.

In announcing its clemency decision for Stone, the White House took aim at Mueller`s investigation and the prosecutors who brought the case against Stone. The White House said Stone "is victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency."

"There was never any collusion between the Trump Campaign, or the Trump Administration, with Russia. Such collusion was never anything other than a fantasy of partisans unable to accept the result of the 2016 election," the White House said.

Trump`s decision to commute Stone`s sentence marks his most assertive intervention to protect an associate in a criminal case and his latest use of executive clemency to benefit an ally.

Congressional Democrats and other critics have accused Trump of undermining the rule of law by publicly complaining about criminal cases against associates including Stone, former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff condemned Trump`s action, saying: "With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else."

A Washington jury in November 2019 convicted Stone on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness.

Stone was convicted for lying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks, the website that released damaging emails about Trump`s 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers.

The U.S. Constitution gives a president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." Trump`s use of this executive clemency often has benefited allies and well-connected political figures.

He pardoned hardline former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Republican White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, conservative commentator Dinesh D`Souza and convicted "junk bond king" Michael Milken. He also commuted the prison sentence of Democratic former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who had been a contestant on Trump`s former reality TV show.

Stone has been a fixture in American partisan battles dating to the 1970s. Stone, a colourful figure known for his natty attire, has labelled himself an "agent provocateur" and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back.

Trump repeatedly lashed out on Twitter about Stone`s case, accusing prosecutors of being corrupt, the juror forewoman of political bias and the judge of treating his friend unfairly.

Late on Friday, the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia denied Stone`s request for a delay in reporting to prison.

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. "Roger Stone has already suffered greatly," the White House said in a statement. "He was treated very unfairly, as were many others in this case. Roger Stone is now a free man!" Also read: Facebook takes down accounts and pages of Trump ally Roger Stone Stone, 67, was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia, to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months for lying under oath to US lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. A commutation does not erase a criminal conviction as a pardon does. The veteran Republican political operative`s friendship with Trump dates back decades. Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 race to boost Trump`s candidacy. In announcing its clemency decision for Stone, the White House took aim at Mueller`s investigation and the prosecutors who brought the case against Stone. The White House said Stone "is victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency." "There was never any collusion between the Trump Campaign, or the Trump Administration, with Russia. Such collusion was never anything other than a fantasy of partisans unable to accept the result of the 2016 election," the White House said. Trump`s decision to commute Stone`s sentence marks his most assertive intervention to protect an associate in a criminal case and his latest use of executive clemency to benefit an ally. Congressional Democrats and other critics have accused Trump of undermining the rule of law by publicly complaining about criminal cases against associates including Stone, former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff condemned Trump`s action, saying: "With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else." A Washington jury in November 2019 convicted Stone on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness. Stone was convicted for lying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks, the website that released damaging emails about Trump`s 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers. The U.S. Constitution gives a president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." Trump`s use of this executive clemency often has benefited allies and well-connected political figures. He pardoned hardline former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Republican White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, conservative commentator Dinesh D`Souza and convicted "junk bond king" Michael Milken. He also commuted the prison sentence of Democratic former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who had been a contestant on Trump`s former reality TV show. Stone has been a fixture in American partisan battles dating to the 1970s. Stone, a colourful figure known for his natty attire, has labelled himself an "agent provocateur" and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back. Trump repeatedly lashed out on Twitter about Stone`s case, accusing prosecutors of being corrupt, the juror forewoman of political bias and the judge of treating his friend unfairly. Late on Friday, the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia denied Stone`s request for a delay in reporting to prison.

Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence

A US federal judge on Sunday denied a request by Roger Stone's lawyers that she be removed from the case in which she last week sentenced the long-time adviser to President Donald Trump to three years and four months in prison.

A US federal judge on Sunday denied a request by Roger Stone's lawyers that she be removed from the case in which she last week sentenced the long-time adviser to President Donald Trump to three years and four months in prison. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had been accused of bias by Stone's attorneys in a filing on Friday that called for her recusal. Stone, 67, was convicted on November 15 of lying to Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Also Read: Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone jailed for 40 months for impeding congressional probe In a court filing on Sunday, Jackson rejected his lawyers' arguments and defended her impartiality. Trump has also complained about the judge in posts on Twitter. He has said he has no immediate plans to pardon Stone and would let the legal process play out, but that "at some point, I'm going to decide." Watch: Roger Stone sentenced for lying in Russia probe In sentencing Stone on Thursday, Jackson said the veteran Republican operative's lies to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election amounted to a threat to American democracy. Stone was convicted of lying to the Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks, the website that released damaging emails about Trump's 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that US intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers.

Roger Stone requests removal of judge reviewing his case; request is denied

A US judge sentenced Donald Trump's longtime ally <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-prison-term-of-7-9-years-for-trumps-longtime-adviser-roger-stone-279922">Roger Stone for 40 months</a> on Thursday. Last year, Stone was convicted in on seven charges including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering in a case related to allegations that Trump campaign conspired with Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

The case had ignited a firestorm over the US president's political interference in the justice system.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-adviser-roger-stone-found-guilty-of-lying-to-congress-obstruction-witness-tampering-262459">Also read: Trump adviser Roger Stone found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction, witness tampering</a>

"The truth still exists," said US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson as she handed down the sentence.

"The truth still matters. Roger Stone's insistence that it doesn't, his belligerence, his pride in his own lies are a threat to our most fundamental institutions, to the very foundation of our democracy."&nbsp;

Wearing sunglasses and a dark fedora, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stone-trial-closes-with-dueling-versions-of-motives-in-2016-trump-campaign-261969">Stone was surrounded by an entourage of family</a>, friends and lawyers as he arrived at the courthouse. He strode past a giant inflatable rat dressed as Trump with a red tie and yellow hair - a common prop in street protests - and a sign calling for his pardon.

Stone, who has labelled himself a "dirty trickster" and "agent provocateur" and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back, was arrested in January 2019 in a pre-dawn FBI raid on his Florida home.

He repeatedly pushed the boundaries set by Jackson. He violated her orders not to talk about the case or post on social media, and the judge accused him of "middle school" behaviour.

(With inputs from agencies)

A US judge sentenced Donald Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone for 40 months on Thursday. Last year, Stone was convicted in on seven charges including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering in a case related to allegations that Trump campaign conspired with Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

A US judge sentenced Donald Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone for 40 months on Thursday. Last year, Stone was convicted in on seven charges including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering in a case related to allegations that Trump campaign conspired with Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. The case had ignited a firestorm over the US president's political interference in the justice system. Also read: Trump adviser Roger Stone found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction, witness tampering "The truth still exists," said US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson as she handed down the sentence. "The truth still matters. Roger Stone's insistence that it doesn't, his belligerence, his pride in his own lies are a threat to our most fundamental institutions, to the very foundation of our democracy." Wearing sunglasses and a dark fedora, Stone was surrounded by an entourage of family, friends and lawyers as he arrived at the courthouse. He strode past a giant inflatable rat dressed as Trump with a red tie and yellow hair - a common prop in street protests - and a sign calling for his pardon. Stone, who has labelled himself a "dirty trickster" and "agent provocateur" and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back, was arrested in January 2019 in a pre-dawn FBI raid on his Florida home. He repeatedly pushed the boundaries set by Jackson. He violated her orders not to talk about the case or post on social media, and the judge accused him of "middle school" behaviour. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone jailed for 40 months for impeding congressional probe

A US judge sentenced President Donald Trump's ally Roger Stone for 40 months on February 20. Last year, Stone was convicted in on seven charges including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering in a case related to allegations that Trump campaign conspired with Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

Roger Stone sentenced for lying in Russia probe

US Attorney General William Barr is mulling resignation over President Donald Trump's tweets about Justice Department investigations, according to a report in Washington Post.

US Attorney General William Barr is mulling resignation over President Donald Trump's tweets about Justice Department investigations, according to a report in Washington Post. Barr has told people close to Trump about his concerns, but it was not immediately clear if Barr had told Trump directly, the Post added in a report. "He has his limits," the newspaper quoted one person familiar with Barr's thinking as saying. Barr may be sharing his position with people close to Trump in hopes the president gets the message and stops tweeting about the Justice Department’s criminal investigations, the Post said. Meanwhile, Trump said on Tuesday he had total confidence in Barr, who last week said in an interview that Trump's tweeting habit had made it impossible for him to do his job. "I do make his job harder ... I do agree with that," Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One. "The attorney general is a man with great integrity." Last week senior Justice Department officials withdrew an earlier sentencing recommendation for longtime Trump friend Roger Stone, who was found guilty in November of seven counts of lying to Congress, prompting upheaval within the department. More than 1,000 former department officials have now called for Barr to resign.

US Attorney General Barr mulling resignation over Trump tweets: Report

Prosecutors asked a federal judge on Monday to sentence&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;longtime&nbsp;adviser&nbsp;Roger&nbsp;Stone&nbsp;to between seven and nine&nbsp;years&nbsp;in&nbsp;prison, saying such a&nbsp;term&nbsp;would "accurately reflect the seriousness of his crimes and promote respect for the law."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-adviser-roger-stone-found-guilty-of-lying-to-congress-obstruction-witness-tampering-262459">Trump adviser Roger Stone found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction, witness tampering</a>

Stone&nbsp;is due to face sentencing by&nbsp;US&nbsp;District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February&nbsp;20, after a jury in November found the self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” guilty on seven counts of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-trump-adviser-roger-stone-arrested-on-indictment-by-robert-mueller-report-192764">Former Trump adviser Roger Stone arrested after indictment by Robert Mueller</a>

The government said that under&nbsp;US&nbsp;sentencing guidelines, he faces a range of seven&nbsp;years&nbsp;and three months to up to nine&nbsp;years, and told Jackson he "should be punished in accord" with those.

Stone&nbsp;is one of several people close to Trump who faced charges stemming from then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

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During the trial, prosecutors pressed their case that&nbsp;Stone&nbsp;lied to lawmakers about his outreach to WikiLeaks - the website that disclosed many hacked Democratic emails ahead of the 2016&nbsp;US&nbsp;election that proved embarrassing to Trump’s Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton - to protect Trump from looking bad.

Stone, who has labelled himself an “agent provocateur” and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back, was charged with obstructing justice, witness tampering and lying to the&nbsp;US&nbsp;House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian election interference.

Stone's colourful trial featured references to the film “The Godfather Part II,” an impression of Senator Bernie Sanders by prosecution witness Randy Credico, and testimony by political heavyweights including former Trump campaign chief executive Steve Bannon and former Trump deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates.

Those witnesses said they believed&nbsp;Stone&nbsp;had inside information about when WikiLeaks might release more damaging emails about Clinton. In truth, he had no such information.

Stone&nbsp;was also accused of tampering with Credico's testimony when Credico was summoned to testify before Congress and speak with the FBI. In emails and texts,&nbsp;Stone&nbsp;told Credico among other things: “Prepare to die,” “You’re a rat. A stoolie,” and “Stonewall it.”

Prosecutors asked a federal judge on Monday to sentence US President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone to between seven and nine years in prison, saying such a term would "accurately reflect the seriousness of his crimes and promote respect for the law.

Prosecutors asked a federal judge on Monday to sentence US President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone to between seven and nine years in prison, saying such a term would "accurately reflect the seriousness of his crimes and promote respect for the law." Also read: Trump adviser Roger Stone found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction, witness tampering Stone is due to face sentencing by US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 20, after a jury in November found the self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” guilty on seven counts of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering. Also read: Former Trump adviser Roger Stone arrested after indictment by Robert Mueller The government said that under US sentencing guidelines, he faces a range of seven years and three months to up to nine years, and told Jackson he "should be punished in accord" with those. Stone is one of several people close to Trump who faced charges stemming from then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. × During the trial, prosecutors pressed their case that Stone lied to lawmakers about his outreach to WikiLeaks - the website that disclosed many hacked Democratic emails ahead of the 2016 US election that proved embarrassing to Trump’s Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton - to protect Trump from looking bad. Stone, who has labelled himself an “agent provocateur” and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back, was charged with obstructing justice, witness tampering and lying to the US House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian election interference. Stone's colourful trial featured references to the film “The Godfather Part II,” an impression of Senator Bernie Sanders by prosecution witness Randy Credico, and testimony by political heavyweights including former Trump campaign chief executive Steve Bannon and former Trump deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates. Those witnesses said they believed Stone had inside information about when WikiLeaks might release more damaging emails about Clinton. In truth, he had no such information. Stone was also accused of tampering with Credico's testimony when Credico was summoned to testify before Congress and speak with the FBI. In emails and texts, Stone told Credico among other things: “Prepare to die,” “You’re a rat. A stoolie,” and “Stonewall it.”

US seeks prison term of 7-9 years for Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone

Roger Stone, a self-described “dirty trickster” and longtime adviser to Donald Trump, was found guilty on Friday of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Roger Stone: U.S. President's associate found guilty in wikileaks hacking case

A jury convicted US President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on Friday, finding the long-time Republican operative and self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" guilty on seven criminal counts of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.

The verdict, in a trial arising from investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election, is not only a blow to Stone but renews scrutiny on then-candidate Trump's activities at a time when he faces an impeachment inquiry that could derail his presidency.

The 67-year-old veteran Republican political operative - a self-described “dirty trickster” and “agent provocateur” - was charged earlier this year with obstructing justice, witness tampering and lying to the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Stone's colorful trial in federal court in Washington was as much about the rough-and-tumble world of politics, as it was about hair-splitting legal arguments, such as whether Stone truly lied about WikiLeaks since that website was never explicitly mentioned in the intelligence committee's publicly-stated parameters of its probe.

The trial featured multiple references to "The Godfather Part II," a Bernie Sanders impression, and testimony by political heavyweights including former Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon and former Trump campaign deputy Rick Gates, each of whom said they believed Stone had inside information about when WikiLeaks might release more damaging emails about then-Republican candidate Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Prosecutors accused Stone of telling lawmakers five different lies related to WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange, which in 2016 dumped a series of damaging emails about Clinton that US intelligence officials and Special Counsel Robert Mueller later concluded had been stolen by Russian hackers.

Some of those lies relate to the existence of certain texts or emails, while others pertain to Stone's conversations with Trump campaign officials and a supposed "intermediary" with WikiLeaks in early August 2016 whom Stone identified to lawmakers as being comedian Randy Credico.

Prosecutors said Stone did not actually start talking to Credico about WikiLeaks until later that month, and the actual person to whom he was referring in testimony as an "intermediary" was conservative author Jerome Corsi whom Stone dispatched in an email to "Get to Assange!" and get the emails.

Corsi was not called as a witness in the trial.

Stone, a close Trump ally who famously has the face of former president Richard Nixon tattooed on his back, was also accused of tampering with a witness, Credico, when Credico was summoned to testify before Congress and speak with the FBI.

Both Stone and Credico, who took the stand in the case, have since said that Credico did not act as a WikiLeaks backchannel.

In emails and texts, the jury saw messages that Stone had sent Credico that included comments like "Prepare to die," "You're a rat. A stoolie," and "Stonewall it. Plead the Fifth. Anything to save the plan," in a reference to a famous Nixon Watergate quote.

He also repeatedly urged Credico to "do a Frank Pentangeli" - a reference to a "Godfather II" character who recants his congressional testimony against a mobster amid intimidation.

A lawyer for Stone dismissed the Pentangeli reference, saying Credico had done impressions of the character in the past, and said the "odious language" they used was just part of how they interacted.

A jury convicted US President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on Friday, finding the long-time Republican operative and self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" guilty on seven criminal counts of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.

A jury convicted US President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on Friday, finding the long-time Republican operative and self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" guilty on seven criminal counts of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering. The verdict, in a trial arising from investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election, is not only a blow to Stone but renews scrutiny on then-candidate Trump's activities at a time when he faces an impeachment inquiry that could derail his presidency. The 67-year-old veteran Republican political operative - a self-described “dirty trickster” and “agent provocateur” - was charged earlier this year with obstructing justice, witness tampering and lying to the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Stone's colorful trial in federal court in Washington was as much about the rough-and-tumble world of politics, as it was about hair-splitting legal arguments, such as whether Stone truly lied about WikiLeaks since that website was never explicitly mentioned in the intelligence committee's publicly-stated parameters of its probe. The trial featured multiple references to "The Godfather Part II," a Bernie Sanders impression, and testimony by political heavyweights including former Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon and former Trump campaign deputy Rick Gates, each of whom said they believed Stone had inside information about when WikiLeaks might release more damaging emails about then-Republican candidate Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Prosecutors accused Stone of telling lawmakers five different lies related to WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange, which in 2016 dumped a series of damaging emails about Clinton that US intelligence officials and Special Counsel Robert Mueller later concluded had been stolen by Russian hackers. Some of those lies relate to the existence of certain texts or emails, while others pertain to Stone's conversations with Trump campaign officials and a supposed "intermediary" with WikiLeaks in early August 2016 whom Stone identified to lawmakers as being comedian Randy Credico. Prosecutors said Stone did not actually start talking to Credico about WikiLeaks until later that month, and the actual person to whom he was referring in testimony as an "intermediary" was conservative author Jerome Corsi whom Stone dispatched in an email to "Get to Assange!" and get the emails. Corsi was not called as a witness in the trial. Stone, a close Trump ally who famously has the face of former president Richard Nixon tattooed on his back, was also accused of tampering with a witness, Credico, when Credico was summoned to testify before Congress and speak with the FBI. Both Stone and Credico, who took the stand in the case, have since said that Credico did not act as a WikiLeaks backchannel. In emails and texts, the jury saw messages that Stone had sent Credico that included comments like "Prepare to die," "You're a rat. A stoolie," and "Stonewall it. Plead the Fifth. Anything to save the plan," in a reference to a famous Nixon Watergate quote. He also repeatedly urged Credico to "do a Frank Pentangeli" - a reference to a "Godfather II" character who recants his congressional testimony against a mobster amid intimidation. A lawyer for Stone dismissed the Pentangeli reference, saying Credico had done impressions of the character in the past, and said the "odious language" they used was just part of how they interacted.

Trump adviser Roger Stone found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction, witness tampering

Prosecutors delivered closing arguments in the trial of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on Wednesday, saying the Republican operative lied to Congress about his efforts to keep abreast of when WikiLeaks might dump damaging emails on Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election campaign because he knew it would make Trump look bad.

A lawyer for Stone countered in his closing argument that this purported motive lacked all "common sense" because Trump had already been elected president by the time Stone testified to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee in September 2017.

By then, attorney Bruce Rogow said, the campaign was "long since over."

"Why would he make stuff up? Why would he volunteer to testify? Why would Stone produce documents?" he asked.

Stone, 67, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements in testimony during the committee's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;elections.

"Roger Stone knew if this information came out, it would look really bad for his longtime associate Donald Trump, so he lied to the committee," prosecutor Jonathan Kravis told the jury in federal court in Washington.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Roger Stone is a political strategist. He knows how this is going to look."

The jury is expected to begin its deliberations on Thursday.

Prosecutors accused Stone of telling lawmakers five different lies related to WikiLeaks website and its founder Julian Assange. WikiLeaks released a series of damaging emails about Trump's Democratic election rival Clinton that US&nbsp;intelligence officials and Special Counsel Robert Mueller later concluded had been stolen by Russian hackers.

Some of those lies relate to the existence of certain texts or emails, while others pertain to Stone's conversations with Trump campaign officials and a supposed "intermediary" with WikiLeaks in early August 2016 whom Stone identified to lawmakers as being comedian Randy Credico.

Prosecutors said that Stone did not actually start talking to Credico about WikiLeaks until later that month, and the actual person to whom he was referring in testimony as an "intermediary" was conservative author Jerome Corsi whom Stone dispatched in an email to "Get to Assange!" and get the emails.

Kravis showed the jury a chart suggesting Stone and Credico had exchanged more than 1,500 messages, despite testimony by Stone that no such communications existed.

"No text messages? Not an email guy? Are you kidding me?" Kravis said.

Stone is also accused of tampering with Credico when he was subpoenaed by the committee and later interviewed by the FBI.

He also repeatedly urged Credico to "do a Frank Pentangeli" - a reference to a character in "The Godfather Part II" who recants his congressional testimony against a mobster amid intimidation.

"That is witness tampering, plain and simple," Kravis said.

Rogow dismissed the Pentangeli reference, saying Credico had done impressions of the character in the past and said the "odious language" they used was just part of how they interacted.

The trial has featured testimony from high-profile political figures including former Trump campaign CEO and former White House adviser Steve Bannon, and former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates.

Both testified they had spoken with Stone before and during the campaign about WikiLeaks, and they believed he had some insider information about WikiLeaks' Clinton email dump.

Gates testified that he overheard a phone conversation in late July 2016 between Trump and Stone that appeared to be about WikiLeaks, because after the call ended, Trump said that more information would be coming out soon. Stone's lawyer countered that the government had not presented any solid evidence about what was said on this call.

Prosecutors delivered closing arguments in the trial of US President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on Wednesday, saying the Republican operative lied to Congress about his efforts to keep abreast of when WikiLeaks might dump damaging emails on Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election campaign because he knew it would make Trump look bad.

Prosecutors delivered closing arguments in the trial of US President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on Wednesday, saying the Republican operative lied to Congress about his efforts to keep abreast of when WikiLeaks might dump damaging emails on Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election campaign because he knew it would make Trump look bad. A lawyer for Stone countered in his closing argument that this purported motive lacked all "common sense" because Trump had already been elected president by the time Stone testified to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee in September 2017. By then, attorney Bruce Rogow said, the campaign was "long since over." "Why would he make stuff up? Why would he volunteer to testify? Why would Stone produce documents?" he asked. Stone, 67, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements in testimony during the committee's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US elections. "Roger Stone knew if this information came out, it would look really bad for his longtime associate Donald Trump, so he lied to the committee," prosecutor Jonathan Kravis told the jury in federal court in Washington. "Ladies and gentlemen, Roger Stone is a political strategist. He knows how this is going to look." The jury is expected to begin its deliberations on Thursday. Prosecutors accused Stone of telling lawmakers five different lies related to WikiLeaks website and its founder Julian Assange. WikiLeaks released a series of damaging emails about Trump's Democratic election rival Clinton that US intelligence officials and Special Counsel Robert Mueller later concluded had been stolen by Russian hackers. Some of those lies relate to the existence of certain texts or emails, while others pertain to Stone's conversations with Trump campaign officials and a supposed "intermediary" with WikiLeaks in early August 2016 whom Stone identified to lawmakers as being comedian Randy Credico. Prosecutors said that Stone did not actually start talking to Credico about WikiLeaks until later that month, and the actual person to whom he was referring in testimony as an "intermediary" was conservative author Jerome Corsi whom Stone dispatched in an email to "Get to Assange!" and get the emails. Kravis showed the jury a chart suggesting Stone and Credico had exchanged more than 1,500 messages, despite testimony by Stone that no such communications existed. "No text messages? Not an email guy? Are you kidding me?" Kravis said. Stone is also accused of tampering with Credico when he was subpoenaed by the committee and later interviewed by the FBI. He also repeatedly urged Credico to "do a Frank Pentangeli" - a reference to a character in "The Godfather Part II" who recants his congressional testimony against a mobster amid intimidation. "That is witness tampering, plain and simple," Kravis said. Rogow dismissed the Pentangeli reference, saying Credico had done impressions of the character in the past and said the "odious language" they used was just part of how they interacted. The trial has featured testimony from high-profile political figures including former Trump campaign CEO and former White House adviser Steve Bannon, and former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates. Both testified they had spoken with Stone before and during the campaign about WikiLeaks, and they believed he had some insider information about WikiLeaks' Clinton email dump. Gates testified that he overheard a phone conversation in late July 2016 between Trump and Stone that appeared to be about WikiLeaks, because after the call ended, Trump said that more information would be coming out soon. Stone's lawyer countered that the government had not presented any solid evidence about what was said on this call.

Roger Stone trial closes with dueling versions of motives in 2016 Trump campaign

&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen accused him of breaking the law while in office and said for the first time that Trump knew in advance about a WikiLeaks dump of stolen emails that hurt his 2016 election rival, Hillary Clinton.

In a dramatic televised hearing in Congress on Wednesday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-jr-signed-checks-for-hush-money-related-to-affair-michael-cohen-200136">Cohen said Trump approved hush payments to cover up extra-marital sexual relationships</a> in violation of campaign finance laws and signed a personal check for $35,000 in 2017 to reimburse Cohen for at least one of those payments.

Cohen, 52, was a close aide of Trump for years and his testimony could increase the legal and political pressure on the Republican president, but he did not appear to disclose a "smoking gun" that could sink his former boss.

Cohen told a House of Representatives committee he had no direct evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Moscow during the election campaign.

Possible collusion is a key theme of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, which has dogged the president during his two years in office. Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation as has the Kremlin.

Assailing the president as a "conman" and a "cheat," Cohen said Trump knew ahead of time about WikiLeaks' release of emails in 2016 that undermined Democrat Clinton's presidential bid.

He also said Trump directed negotiations for a real estate project in Moscow during the White House race even as he publicly said he had no business interests in Russia.

"I wouldn't use the word colluding," Cohen said of Trump's dealings with Russia, adding that there was "something odd" about the president's good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House had no comment on Cohen's testimony but Trump earlier on Wednesday accused his former employee of lying.

"He did bad things unrelated to Trump. He is lying in order to reduce his prison time," Trump wrote on Twitter from Vietnam, where he was meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Republican lawmakers at the hearing tried to undermine Cohen, portraying him as an irredeemable liar who had benefited from financial crimes he pleaded guilty to last year, and saying the hearing was an opening gambit in a Democratic push to impeach Trump.

"I don’t believe Michael Cohen is capable of telling the truth," said Republican Representative James Comer.

Cohen was mostly calm and contrite under the heated questioning from Republicans, and cautioned them not to make the same mistake he did in protecting Trump.

"I did the same thing as you're doing now, for 10 years. I protected Mr. Trump for 10 years," Cohen told the committee hearing. "The more people that follow Mr. Trump as I did blindly are going to suffer the same consequences that I am suffering."

As the hearing wrapped up, Cohen wiped away tears when the committee's Democratic chairman, Elijah Cummings, expressed sympathy for him.

Cohen said in his closing remarks that he worried about the ramifications if Trump loses his re-election bid in&nbsp;2020.

"Given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in&nbsp;2020, there will never be a peaceful transition of power," Cohen said.

Ally turned witness

Cohen was one of Trump's closest aides and fiercest defenders, working with him on business and personal deals for a decade.

But he turned against him last year and is cooperating with prosecutors after pleading guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Democrats took control of the House after last year's congressional elections and called Cohen to testify.

He begins serving a three-year prison sentence in May.

"I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is.<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-a-racist-conman-and-cheat-ex-lawyer-michael-cohen-tells-congress-200117"> He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat</a>," Cohen said.

He said he was directed by Trump in 2016 to make a $130,000 payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to cover up an extra-marital affair.

That payment could amount to an illegal in-kind contribution by Cohen to the campaign because it exceeded donation limits and was not disclosed in Trump's campaign finance reports, legal experts say.

Trump has denied having sex with Daniels and said the payments to her and another woman who claimed an affair were not illegal.

Cohen turned over to the committee a copy of a $35,000 check Trump signed on August 1, 2017, one in a series he said was to reimburse him for paying off Daniels after Trump took office.

Cohen said Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., co-signed another check, again for $35,000. A lawyer for Donald Jr. did not respond to a request for comment.

The sweeping claims against Trump, from a man who once said he would take a bullet for his boss, come as Mueller appears to be close to completing his investigation into possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russian efforts to sway the vote.

Trump has called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt."

US&nbsp;officials have said the emails released by WikiLeaks were stolen by Russia as part of Moscow's campaign of hacking and propaganda during the presidential race aimed at sowing discord in the United States and harming Clinton.

Trump has previously denied knowing in advance about the release of hacked Democratic National Committee emails during the election.

Cohen said he was in Trump's office in July 2016 when Roger Stone, a self-described "dirty trickster" and longtime political adviser to Trump, called the then-Republican presidential candidate.

Cohen said Stone told Trump he had been speaking with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who told him there would be a dump of emails within a couple of days that would damage Clinton's campaign.

The DNC emails drove a wedge between supporters of Clinton and her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Bernie Sanders. Although Clinton won the nomination, that rift weakened her candidacy.

"Mr. Cohen's statement is untrue," Stone said in an email, but did not specify which parts of the statement he meant.

Stone was indicted by Mueller on charges of lying to Congress about his communications with others related to WikiLeaks email dumps.

Cohen apologised for initially lying to Congress in 2017, when he said efforts to build a Trump skyscraper in Moscow had ceased by January 2016. He now says they continued through June 2016, during the height of the election campaign, and that Trump's lawyers "reviewed and edited" those false statements to Congress.

Cohen said Trump on multiple occasions inquired about the Moscow real estate project while telling the public he had no business dealings in Russia.

"He lied about it because he never expected to win the election. He also lied about it because he stood to make hundreds of millions of dollars," Cohen said.

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen accused him of breaking the law while in office and said for the first time that Trump knew in advance about a WikiLeaks dump of stolen emails that hurt his 2016 election rival, Hillary Clinton.

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen accused him of breaking the law while in office and said for the first time that Trump knew in advance about a WikiLeaks dump of stolen emails that hurt his 2016 election rival, Hillary Clinton. In a dramatic televised hearing in Congress on Wednesday, Cohen said Trump approved hush payments to cover up extra-marital sexual relationships in violation of campaign finance laws and signed a personal check for $35,000 in 2017 to reimburse Cohen for at least one of those payments. Cohen, 52, was a close aide of Trump for years and his testimony could increase the legal and political pressure on the Republican president, but he did not appear to disclose a "smoking gun" that could sink his former boss. Cohen told a House of Representatives committee he had no direct evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Moscow during the election campaign. Possible collusion is a key theme of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, which has dogged the president during his two years in office. Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation as has the Kremlin. Assailing the president as a "conman" and a "cheat," Cohen said Trump knew ahead of time about WikiLeaks' release of emails in 2016 that undermined Democrat Clinton's presidential bid. He also said Trump directed negotiations for a real estate project in Moscow during the White House race even as he publicly said he had no business interests in Russia. "I wouldn't use the word colluding," Cohen said of Trump's dealings with Russia, adding that there was "something odd" about the president's good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House had no comment on Cohen's testimony but Trump earlier on Wednesday accused his former employee of lying. "He did bad things unrelated to Trump. He is lying in order to reduce his prison time," Trump wrote on Twitter from Vietnam, where he was meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Republican lawmakers at the hearing tried to undermine Cohen, portraying him as an irredeemable liar who had benefited from financial crimes he pleaded guilty to last year, and saying the hearing was an opening gambit in a Democratic push to impeach Trump. "I don’t believe Michael Cohen is capable of telling the truth," said Republican Representative James Comer. Cohen was mostly calm and contrite under the heated questioning from Republicans, and cautioned them not to make the same mistake he did in protecting Trump. "I did the same thing as you're doing now, for 10 years. I protected Mr. Trump for 10 years," Cohen told the committee hearing. "The more people that follow Mr. Trump as I did blindly are going to suffer the same consequences that I am suffering." As the hearing wrapped up, Cohen wiped away tears when the committee's Democratic chairman, Elijah Cummings, expressed sympathy for him. Cohen said in his closing remarks that he worried about the ramifications if Trump loses his re-election bid in 2020. "Given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in 2020, there will never be a peaceful transition of power," Cohen said. Ally turned witness Cohen was one of Trump's closest aides and fiercest defenders, working with him on business and personal deals for a decade. But he turned against him last year and is cooperating with prosecutors after pleading guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Democrats took control of the House after last year's congressional elections and called Cohen to testify. He begins serving a three-year prison sentence in May. "I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat," Cohen said. He said he was directed by Trump in 2016 to make a $130,000 payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to cover up an extra-marital affair. That payment could amount to an illegal in-kind contribution by Cohen to the campaign because it exceeded donation limits and was not disclosed in Trump's campaign finance reports, legal experts say. Trump has denied having sex with Daniels and said the payments to her and another woman who claimed an affair were not illegal. Cohen turned over to the committee a copy of a $35,000 check Trump signed on August 1, 2017, one in a series he said was to reimburse him for paying off Daniels after Trump took office. Cohen said Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., co-signed another check, again for $35,000. A lawyer for Donald Jr. did not respond to a request for comment. The sweeping claims against Trump, from a man who once said he would take a bullet for his boss, come as Mueller appears to be close to completing his investigation into possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russian efforts to sway the vote. Trump has called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt." US officials have said the emails released by WikiLeaks were stolen by Russia as part of Moscow's campaign of hacking and propaganda during the presidential race aimed at sowing discord in the United States and harming Clinton. Trump has previously denied knowing in advance about the release of hacked Democratic National Committee emails during the election. Cohen said he was in Trump's office in July 2016 when Roger Stone, a self-described "dirty trickster" and longtime political adviser to Trump, called the then-Republican presidential candidate. Cohen said Stone told Trump he had been speaking with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who told him there would be a dump of emails within a couple of days that would damage Clinton's campaign. The DNC emails drove a wedge between supporters of Clinton and her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Bernie Sanders. Although Clinton won the nomination, that rift weakened her candidacy. "Mr. Cohen's statement is untrue," Stone said in an email, but did not specify which parts of the statement he meant. Stone was indicted by Mueller on charges of lying to Congress about his communications with others related to WikiLeaks email dumps. Cohen apologised for initially lying to Congress in 2017, when he said efforts to build a Trump skyscraper in Moscow had ceased by January 2016. He now says they continued through June 2016, during the height of the election campaign, and that Trump's lawyers "reviewed and edited" those false statements to Congress. Cohen said Trump on multiple occasions inquired about the Moscow real estate project while telling the public he had no business dealings in Russia. "He lied about it because he never expected to win the election. He also lied about it because he stood to make hundreds of millions of dollars," Cohen said.

Peaceful transition of power at risk if Trump loses 2020 election, says Michael Cohen

The investigation into <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-trump-adviser-roger-stone-arrested-on-indictment-by-robert-mueller-report-192764">President Donald Trump's longtime political consultant Roger Stone </a>could broaden from the charges of lying, obstruction and witness-tampering on which he was arrested last week, according to a court filing by Special Counsel Robert Mueller Thursday.

The prosecutor asked the federal court in Washington to give his team and the defence more time to review "terabytes" of evidence, including multiple communications devices and hard drives, email and cloud computing accounts, and bank and financial records going back years.

Investigators already appeared to have sufficient email and witness evidence to press last Friday's indictment of Stone on five counts of lying to Congress over his contacts with WikiLeaks, and one count each of obstruction and witness tampering.

The need to sift through that much more material suggested that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stone-open-to-talk-with-mueller-in-russia-probe-193312">Mueller</a>, who leads the Russia meddling probe, is casting his net wider in terms of offences and investigation targets.

"Perhaps they want Stone to have this information now because there could be additional charges down the line, or because they think his knowledge that they possess this information could encourage him to flip," said former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti.

Mueller has charged six former aides of Trump, including his lawyer Michael Cohen, campaign chair Paul Manafort, and national security advisor Michael Flynn, in the 20-month-old investigation into whether the 2016 Trump campaign colluded with Russians.

All have been accused of lying to investigators, and some also of financial and tax-related charges.

But none has yet been charged with any crime involving collusion with Russia, and Mueller has given no indication on whether or not any such charges could be forthcoming.

The Stone case is the closest Mueller has gotten to suggesting there was an illegal conspiracy to collude — yet that was not among the charges.

Stone allegedly lied about contacts with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published embarrassing documents from Trump's election rival Hillary Clinton that were allegedly hacked by Russian intelligence.

In a news conference Thursday, Stone said his alleged lies were simply memory lapses and were immaterial to the Russia collusion investigation.

"I'm not accused of collaboration, I'm not accused of conspiracy," he said.

"There is no underlying crime."

The investigation into President Donald Trump's longtime political consultant Roger Stone could broaden from the charges of lying, obstruction and witness-tampering on which he was arrested last week, according to a court filing by Special Counsel Robert Mueller Thursday.

The investigation into President Donald Trump's longtime political consultant Roger Stone could broaden from the charges of lying, obstruction and witness-tampering on which he was arrested last week, according to a court filing by Special Counsel Robert Mueller Thursday. The prosecutor asked the federal court in Washington to give his team and the defence more time to review "terabytes" of evidence, including multiple communications devices and hard drives, email and cloud computing accounts, and bank and financial records going back years. Investigators already appeared to have sufficient email and witness evidence to press last Friday's indictment of Stone on five counts of lying to Congress over his contacts with WikiLeaks, and one count each of obstruction and witness tampering. The need to sift through that much more material suggested that Mueller, who leads the Russia meddling probe, is casting his net wider in terms of offences and investigation targets. "Perhaps they want Stone to have this information now because there could be additional charges down the line, or because they think his knowledge that they possess this information could encourage him to flip," said former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti. Mueller has charged six former aides of Trump, including his lawyer Michael Cohen, campaign chair Paul Manafort, and national security advisor Michael Flynn, in the 20-month-old investigation into whether the 2016 Trump campaign colluded with Russians. All have been accused of lying to investigators, and some also of financial and tax-related charges. But none has yet been charged with any crime involving collusion with Russia, and Mueller has given no indication on whether or not any such charges could be forthcoming. The Stone case is the closest Mueller has gotten to suggesting there was an illegal conspiracy to collude — yet that was not among the charges. Stone allegedly lied about contacts with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published embarrassing documents from Trump's election rival Hillary Clinton that were allegedly hacked by Russian intelligence. In a news conference Thursday, Stone said his alleged lies were simply memory lapses and were immaterial to the Russia collusion investigation. "I'm not accused of collaboration, I'm not accused of conspiracy," he said. "There is no underlying crime."

US-Russia probe filing suggests broader case against Trump ally Roger Stone

The Republican chairman of the US Senate judiciary panel on Wednesday requested a briefing from the FBI on the arrest of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stone-open-to-talk-with-mueller-in-russia-probe-193312">Roger Stone</a>, a longtime associate of President Donald Trump, in an inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

Senator Lindsey Graham said he was concerned about the number of agents involved, tactics employed and the timing of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-trump-advisor-stone-indicted-in-mueller-probe-192975">Stone's arrest</a> on Friday in Florida. Graham asked for the briefing to take place no later than February 5.

A video of Stone's arrest broadcast on CNN showed an FBI team taking him away from his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home in the dark just before 6 am and Stone surrendering without any issue.

"Although I am sure these tactics would be standard procedure for the arrest of a violent offender, I have questions regarding their necessity in this case," Graham wrote in the letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The top Republican on the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Representative Doug Collins, expressed similar concerns in a letter to Wray.

Collins asked Wray for answers by February 13 to a series of questions, including whether Wray was aware of what Collins called the FBI's "immense show of force" during the raid.

"Given the nature of the charges in Stone's indictment, many believe the FBI used an excessive amount of force during his arrest," Collins wrote.

Some law enforcement experts said in the aftermath that when a person has not agreed to give themselves up to authorities voluntarily, such procedures were standard.

Trump, in an interview with the conservative website Daily Caller on Wednesday, said Stone's arrest was a "very, very disappointing scene" and he would "think about" asking the FBI to review its policies.

"When you have 29 people and you have armoured vehicles, and you had all of the other - you know, many people know Roger, and Roger is not a person that they would have to worry about from that standpoint," Trump said.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors accuse Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" and longtime Republican operative, of obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating US allegations that Russia meddled in the election and whether members of the campaign of then-Republican candidate Trump coordinated with Moscow officials. So far, the investigation has ensnared 34 people. Moscow denies interference and Trump dismisses the probe as a political witch hunt.

The Republican chairman of the US Senate judiciary panel on Wednesday requested a briefing from the FBI on the arrest of Roger Stone, a longtime associate of President Donald Trump, in an inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

The Republican chairman of the US Senate judiciary panel on Wednesday requested a briefing from the FBI on the arrest of Roger Stone, a longtime associate of President Donald Trump, in an inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Senator Lindsey Graham said he was concerned about the number of agents involved, tactics employed and the timing of Stone's arrest on Friday in Florida. Graham asked for the briefing to take place no later than February 5. A video of Stone's arrest broadcast on CNN showed an FBI team taking him away from his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home in the dark just before 6 am and Stone surrendering without any issue. "Although I am sure these tactics would be standard procedure for the arrest of a violent offender, I have questions regarding their necessity in this case," Graham wrote in the letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray. The top Republican on the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Representative Doug Collins, expressed similar concerns in a letter to Wray. Collins asked Wray for answers by February 13 to a series of questions, including whether Wray was aware of what Collins called the FBI's "immense show of force" during the raid. "Given the nature of the charges in Stone's indictment, many believe the FBI used an excessive amount of force during his arrest," Collins wrote. Some law enforcement experts said in the aftermath that when a person has not agreed to give themselves up to authorities voluntarily, such procedures were standard. Trump, in an interview with the conservative website Daily Caller on Wednesday, said Stone's arrest was a "very, very disappointing scene" and he would "think about" asking the FBI to review its policies. "When you have 29 people and you have armoured vehicles, and you had all of the other - you know, many people know Roger, and Roger is not a person that they would have to worry about from that standpoint," Trump said. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors accuse Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" and longtime Republican operative, of obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating US allegations that Russia meddled in the election and whether members of the campaign of then-Republican candidate Trump coordinated with Moscow officials. So far, the investigation has ensnared 34 people. Moscow denies interference and Trump dismisses the probe as a political witch hunt.

US Senate judiciary chair requests FBI briefing on arrest of Trump ally

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-trump-advisor-stone-indicted-in-mueller-probe-192975">Roger Stone, an ally of President Donald Trump </a>and a longtime Republican operative, did not rule out on Sunday cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

Arrested at his waterfront home in Florida on Friday in a dawn raid by FBI agents, Stone told reporters he would not "bear false witness against the president."

Stone was charged with lying to Congress about the Trump campaign's efforts to use stolen emails to undercut Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Asked on ABC's "This Week" if he would cooperate with Mueller, he said, "You know, that's a question I would have to – I have to determine after my attorneys have some discussion."

"I'd also testify honestly about any other matter, including any communications with the president," he said. "It's true that we spoke on the phone, but those communications are political in nature, they're benign, and there is certainly no conspiracy with Russia."

Stone, 66, will be arraigned in federal court in Washington on Tuesday.

Stone's indictment cut deeply into Trump's inner circle and revealed a link between his campaign and WikiLeaks, the online publisher of secret documents, to damage Clinton with material that US intelligence agencies have said was stolen by Russians.

Stone shared with Trump campaign staffers advance knowledge that he had of WikiLeaks' plan to release senior Democrats' emails, Mueller said in court papers.

The special counsel's indictment also said a top Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about additional damaging information that WikiLeaks had on Clinton.

Jerome Corsi, a right-wing commentator and conspiracy theorist, said on Friday that he is the "Person 1" cited in the indictment as having communicated with Stone about the stolen emails and WikiLeaks' plan to release them.

He also said the information in the indictment was accurate and that he would testify against Stone. "I will be happy to testify," he told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. "And I will let the testimony fall wherever it falls."

'FIGHT FOR MY LIFE' &nbsp;

Stone said the evidence in Mueller's indictment was thin, "so I'm prepared to fight for my life."

US Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said, however, that the indictment presented specific allegations of lies and witness intimidation that were unambiguous and provable.

"They are very detailed and I think he's going to need a much better defence than the one you just heard," he told ABC.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio said working with WikiLeaks should be considered a crime because it was tantamount to cooperating with a foreign intelligence agency.

"It should have been clear to people a long time ago that WikiLeaks and others like that could have been tools of foreign intelligence used to divide America," Rubio said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

The Kremlin denies US intelligence agencies’ findings that Russia interfered to sway the 2016 election away from Clinton and toward Trump, who denies any collusion.

Schiff said his panel would give Mueller access to all transcripts of testimony before the committee, including Trump's son Donald Trump Jr, for prosecution purposes. He also pledged to continue congressional probes of any Trump-Russia ties.

"We are determined the public is going to know exactly what Donald Trump did, what his family did, what his campaign did, what the Russians did and what we need to do to protect the country,” Schiff said.

Roger Stone, an ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime Republican operative, did not rule out on Sunday cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

Roger Stone, an ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime Republican operative, did not rule out on Sunday cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. Arrested at his waterfront home in Florida on Friday in a dawn raid by FBI agents, Stone told reporters he would not "bear false witness against the president." Stone was charged with lying to Congress about the Trump campaign's efforts to use stolen emails to undercut Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Asked on ABC's "This Week" if he would cooperate with Mueller, he said, "You know, that's a question I would have to – I have to determine after my attorneys have some discussion." "I'd also testify honestly about any other matter, including any communications with the president," he said. "It's true that we spoke on the phone, but those communications are political in nature, they're benign, and there is certainly no conspiracy with Russia." Stone, 66, will be arraigned in federal court in Washington on Tuesday. Stone's indictment cut deeply into Trump's inner circle and revealed a link between his campaign and WikiLeaks, the online publisher of secret documents, to damage Clinton with material that US intelligence agencies have said was stolen by Russians. Stone shared with Trump campaign staffers advance knowledge that he had of WikiLeaks' plan to release senior Democrats' emails, Mueller said in court papers. The special counsel's indictment also said a top Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about additional damaging information that WikiLeaks had on Clinton. Jerome Corsi, a right-wing commentator and conspiracy theorist, said on Friday that he is the "Person 1" cited in the indictment as having communicated with Stone about the stolen emails and WikiLeaks' plan to release them. He also said the information in the indictment was accurate and that he would testify against Stone. "I will be happy to testify," he told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. "And I will let the testimony fall wherever it falls." 'FIGHT FOR MY LIFE' Stone said the evidence in Mueller's indictment was thin, "so I'm prepared to fight for my life." US Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said, however, that the indictment presented specific allegations of lies and witness intimidation that were unambiguous and provable. "They are very detailed and I think he's going to need a much better defence than the one you just heard," he told ABC. Republican Senator Marco Rubio said working with WikiLeaks should be considered a crime because it was tantamount to cooperating with a foreign intelligence agency. "It should have been clear to people a long time ago that WikiLeaks and others like that could have been tools of foreign intelligence used to divide America," Rubio said on NBC's "Meet the Press." The Kremlin denies US intelligence agencies’ findings that Russia interfered to sway the 2016 election away from Clinton and toward Trump, who denies any collusion. Schiff said his panel would give Mueller access to all transcripts of testimony before the committee, including Trump's son Donald Trump Jr, for prosecution purposes. He also pledged to continue congressional probes of any Trump-Russia ties. "We are determined the public is going to know exactly what Donald Trump did, what his family did, what his campaign did, what the Russians did and what we need to do to protect the country,” Schiff said.

Roger Stone open to talk with Mueller in Russia probe

The federal special counsel's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-trump-adviser-roger-stone-arrested-on-indictment-by-robert-mueller-report-192764">indictment of Roger Stone</a>, a longtime associate of US President Donald Trump, in the Russia probe is unrelated to the president or the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House, Trump's press secretary said on Friday.

"The charges brought against Mr Stone have nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN. "The president did nothing wrong."

Stone, who served as a campaign adviser for Trump's 2016&nbsp;White&nbsp;House&nbsp;run, was arrested earlier on Friday, charged with seven criminal counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thanks-special-counsel-robert-mueller-for-statement-about-buzzfeed-article-191502">Trump thanks special counsel Robert Mueller for&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thanks-special-counsel-robert-mueller-for-statement-about-buzzfeed-article-191502">statement</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thanks-special-counsel-robert-mueller-for-statement-about-buzzfeed-article-191502">&nbsp;about BuzzFeed article</a>

He has faced scrutiny for his support for Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he implied he had access to information obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trump's rival for the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House, Hillary Clinton.

According to a grand jury indictment released by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/muellers-office-disputes-report-that-trump-told-cohen-to-lie-to-congress-191342">US&nbsp;Special Counsel Robert Mueller</a>'s office, a senior Trump campaign official had spoken with Stone about the damaging information.

Asked repeatedly if Trump had directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about the stolen emails, Sanders did not directly answer, saying she had not read the indictment and referring specific questions to Trump's outside counsel.

Trump's outside lawyers Jay Sekulow and Rudy Giuliani did not respond to a request for comment on the indictment earlier on Friday.

The federal special counsel's indictment of Roger Stone, a longtime associate of US President Donald Trump, in the Russia probe is unrelated to the president or the White House, Trump's press secretary said on Friday.

The federal special counsel's indictment of Roger Stone, a longtime associate of US President Donald Trump, in the Russia probe is unrelated to the president or the White House, Trump's press secretary said on Friday. "The charges brought against Mr Stone have nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with the White House," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN. "The president did nothing wrong." Stone, who served as a campaign adviser for Trump's 2016 White House run, was arrested earlier on Friday, charged with seven criminal counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements. Also read: Trump thanks special counsel Robert Mueller for statement about BuzzFeed article He has faced scrutiny for his support for Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he implied he had access to information obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trump's rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton. According to a grand jury indictment released by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office, a senior Trump campaign official had spoken with Stone about the damaging information. Asked repeatedly if Trump had directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about the stolen emails, Sanders did not directly answer, saying she had not read the indictment and referring specific questions to Trump's outside counsel. Trump's outside lawyers Jay Sekulow and Rudy Giuliani did not respond to a request for comment on the indictment earlier on Friday.

Roger Stone indictment has nothing to do with Trump: White House

US President Donald Trump's former advisor, Roger Stone got arrested by police on Friday under an indictment issued by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/muellers-office-disputes-report-that-trump-told-cohen-to-lie-to-congress-191342"> special counsel Robert Mueller</a>;&nbsp;, according to a grand jury indictment made public by US&nbsp;Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office.

According to the report, he&nbsp;was arrested in Florida after being indicted on Thursday.&nbsp;

Stone has been charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering.

Stone will now appear in a court in Fort Lauderdale on Friday.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thanks-special-counsel-robert-mueller-for-statement-about-buzzfeed-article-191502">Trump thanks special counsel Robert Mueller for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thanks-special-counsel-robert-mueller-for-statement-about-buzzfeed-article-191502">statement</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thanks-special-counsel-robert-mueller-for-statement-about-buzzfeed-article-191502"> about BuzzFeed article</a>

Stone has faced scrutiny for his support for Trump during the 2016 presidential election campaign, when Stone implied that he had inside knowledge of data obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trump's rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton.

According to a Reuters' report, US&nbsp;prosecutors, in the indictment, said Stone had "sent and received numerous emails and text messages during the 2016 campaign in which he discussed Organisation 1, its head, and its possession of hacked emails."

Stone also spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about the organisation "and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign," the indictment said. He was also "contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases" by the group, it added.

Robert Mueller&nbsp;is investigating possible Russian collusion with the Trump election campaign which has led to dozens of indictments for federal crimes and several guilty pleas or convictions.

In August 2018, Paul Manafort, Trump's Presidential campaign chairman, was found guilty on eight felony counts of financial crimes in a district court, a month later, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing justice, in a plea bargain for his full cooperation with prosecutors.

The investigation also led to former national security advisor Michale Flynn pleading guilty to making false statements to the FBI and, as part of a December 2017 plea deal, he is required to be a cooperating witness in the investigations.&nbsp;

Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen is also scheduled to begin a three-year prison sentence in March after pleading guilty to charges including campaign finance violations, tax evasion and lying to Congress.

Mueller further secured guilty pleas from Manafort's business partner, Rick Gates, Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan, Trump's former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, lobbyist W Samuel Patten, and Richard Pinedo; all, except Van der Zwaan, have become cooperating witnesses for investigators.

In February 2018, Mueller indicted 13 Russian citizens and three Russian entities, most notably the Internet Research Agency and, in June 2018, added an indictment of Konstantin Kilimnik, Manafort's business partner. In July 2018, 12 members of the Russian GRU cyber espionage group known as Fancy Bear, responsible for the 2016 DNC email hacking, were indicted.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Donald Trump's former advisor, Roger Stone got arrested by police on Friday under an indictment issued by special counsel Robert Mueller; , according to a grand jury indictment made public by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office.

US President Donald Trump's former advisor, Roger Stone got arrested by police on Friday under an indictment issued by special counsel Robert Mueller; , according to a grand jury indictment made public by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office. According to the report, he was arrested in Florida after being indicted on Thursday. Stone has been charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering. Stone will now appear in a court in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Also read: Trump thanks special counsel Robert Mueller for statement about BuzzFeed article Stone has faced scrutiny for his support for Trump during the 2016 presidential election campaign, when Stone implied that he had inside knowledge of data obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trump's rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton. According to a Reuters' report, US prosecutors, in the indictment, said Stone had "sent and received numerous emails and text messages during the 2016 campaign in which he discussed Organisation 1, its head, and its possession of hacked emails." Stone also spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about the organisation "and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign," the indictment said. He was also "contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases" by the group, it added. Robert Mueller is investigating possible Russian collusion with the Trump election campaign which has led to dozens of indictments for federal crimes and several guilty pleas or convictions. In August 2018, Paul Manafort, Trump's Presidential campaign chairman, was found guilty on eight felony counts of financial crimes in a district court, a month later, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing justice, in a plea bargain for his full cooperation with prosecutors. The investigation also led to former national security advisor Michale Flynn pleading guilty to making false statements to the FBI and, as part of a December 2017 plea deal, he is required to be a cooperating witness in the investigations. Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen is also scheduled to begin a three-year prison sentence in March after pleading guilty to charges including campaign finance violations, tax evasion and lying to Congress. Mueller further secured guilty pleas from Manafort's business partner, Rick Gates, Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan, Trump's former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, lobbyist W Samuel Patten, and Richard Pinedo; all, except Van der Zwaan, have become cooperating witnesses for investigators. In February 2018, Mueller indicted 13 Russian citizens and three Russian entities, most notably the Internet Research Agency and, in June 2018, added an indictment of Konstantin Kilimnik, Manafort's business partner. In July 2018, 12 members of the Russian GRU cyber espionage group known as Fancy Bear, responsible for the 2016 DNC email hacking, were indicted. (With inputs from agencies)

Former Trump adviser Roger Stone arrested after indictment by Robert Mueller

Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference.

Stone also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ally-says-he-worked-with-assange-pre-election-to-spread-clinton-emails-in-abusive-twitter-tirade-13089">denied having had any contact during the 2016 presidential campaign with Julian Assange</a>, the creator of WikiLeaks, the site that published hacked messages from Trump's Democratic opponents in an apparent bid to influence the election.

"I had no contact with Assange," Stone told ABC's "This Week" program. "We have had no communication with (Assange) whatsoever."

He said he had not been contacted by Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor investigating possible collusion or coordination between Trump's campaign team and Russia.&nbsp;

Asked whether he would expect a pardon from the president if indicted by Mueller, Stone replied, "I've had no discussion regarding a pardon."

But Stone insisted that he would never testify against his longtime friend.

"There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," he said. "I'd have to make things up, and I'm not going to do that."

Mueller has negotiated cooperation deals with several key witnesses, notably Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, in exchange for reduced prison sentences for various charges.&nbsp;

Stone and one of his contacts, Jerome Corsi, are suspected of having had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks would, in the summer of 2016, publish a trove of hacked Democratic emails that would prove damaging to Trump's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton.

The ABC interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, asked Stone about emails in which he reportedly instructed Corsi in mid-2016 to "get to Assange at the Ecuadoran embassy in London and get the pending WikiLeaks email."&nbsp;

But Stone insisted he had broken no law.

"I'm certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats," he said, before adding, "Where is the crime?

"I engaged in politics."

Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference.

Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference. Stone also denied having had any contact during the 2016 presidential campaign with Julian Assange, the creator of WikiLeaks, the site that published hacked messages from Trump's Democratic opponents in an apparent bid to influence the election. "I had no contact with Assange," Stone told ABC's "This Week" program. "We have had no communication with (Assange) whatsoever." He said he had not been contacted by Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor investigating possible collusion or coordination between Trump's campaign team and Russia. Asked whether he would expect a pardon from the president if indicted by Mueller, Stone replied, "I've had no discussion regarding a pardon." But Stone insisted that he would never testify against his longtime friend. "There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," he said. "I'd have to make things up, and I'm not going to do that." Mueller has negotiated cooperation deals with several key witnesses, notably Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, in exchange for reduced prison sentences for various charges. Stone and one of his contacts, Jerome Corsi, are suspected of having had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks would, in the summer of 2016, publish a trove of hacked Democratic emails that would prove damaging to Trump's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. The ABC interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, asked Stone about emails in which he reportedly instructed Corsi in mid-2016 to "get to Assange at the Ecuadoran embassy in London and get the pending WikiLeaks email." But Stone insisted he had broken no law. "I'm certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats," he said, before adding, "Where is the crime? "I engaged in politics."

Trump friend Roger Stone says they did not discuss a pardon

President Donald Trump asked two top US intelligence officials in March to help push back against the FBI investigation into his campaign&#39;s possible links with Russia, The Washington Post reported Monday.

In the newest report suggesting the White House sought to tamp down the Russia probe, the Post said Trump urged National Security Agency chief Michael Rogers and to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats to publicly deny any evidence of collusion between his campaign and Russia during last year&#39;s presidential election.

Citing current and former intelligence officials, the Post said both Rogers and Coats, who was appointed by Trump, did not comply with his request.

The president made the request after then FBI director James Comey revealed that the agency had been investigating Russian interference into the election since July 2016.

Last week, US media reported that Trump had pressed Comey himself in meetings and phone calls to pull back on the investigation. The White House has denied that Trump pressured Comey in any way.

But the FBI director, who Trump fired two weeks ago, wrote detailed memos on his discussions with the president that were cited in the media reports.

In February, Trump asked several senior congressmen and intelligence officials to contact journalists and tell them there was no evidence to support the allegations of campaign links to Russia.

The FBI investigation into potential collusion has 100 agents, and is looking at several angles regarding Trump and Russia.&nbsp;

During the 2016 US election, Trump loyalist and long-time advisor&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ally-says-he-worked-with-assange-pre-election-to-spread-clinton-emails-in-abusive-twitter-tirade-13089" target="_blank">Roger Stone</a> claimed to have &quot;a perfectly legal back channel&quot; with&nbsp;WikiLeaks&#39; Julian Assange, and also had public contact over Twitter with Guccifer 2.0, who American intelligence say is the Russian hacker who hacked into Clinton&#39;s emails.&nbsp;

Stone has denied that Assange works for the Russians. Also,&nbsp;there is nothing necessarily illegal about his contact with Guccifer 2.0, but an FBI investigation is ongoing into Stone&#39;s actions during the election, as well as other Trump election staff, like Carter Page and Paul Manafort.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump urged National Security Agency chief and Director of National Intelligence to publicly deny any link between his campaign and Russia

President Donald Trump asked two top US intelligence officials in March to help push back against the FBI investigation into his campaign's possible links with Russia, The Washington Post reported Monday. In the newest report suggesting the White House sought to tamp down the Russia probe, the Post said Trump urged National Security Agency chief Michael Rogers and to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats to publicly deny any evidence of collusion between his campaign and Russia during last year's presidential election. Citing current and former intelligence officials, the Post said both Rogers and Coats, who was appointed by Trump, did not comply with his request. The president made the request after then FBI director James Comey revealed that the agency had been investigating Russian interference into the election since July 2016. Last week, US media reported that Trump had pressed Comey himself in meetings and phone calls to pull back on the investigation. The White House has denied that Trump pressured Comey in any way. But the FBI director, who Trump fired two weeks ago, wrote detailed memos on his discussions with the president that were cited in the media reports. In February, Trump asked several senior congressmen and intelligence officials to contact journalists and tell them there was no evidence to support the allegations of campaign links to Russia. The FBI investigation into potential collusion has 100 agents, and is looking at several angles regarding Trump and Russia. During the 2016 US election, Trump loyalist and long-time advisor Roger Stone claimed to have "a perfectly legal back channel" with WikiLeaks' Julian Assange, and also had public contact over Twitter with Guccifer 2.0, who American intelligence say is the Russian hacker who hacked into Clinton's emails. Stone has denied that Assange works for the Russians. Also, there is nothing necessarily illegal about his contact with Guccifer 2.0, but an FBI investigation is ongoing into Stone's actions during the election, as well as other Trump election staff, like Carter Page and Paul Manafort. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump asked top two intelligence officials to deny Russia collusion: Reports

The FBI possesses information indicating&nbsp;associates of US President Donald Trump communicated with suspected Russian operatives to possibly coordinate the divulging of information damaging to Hillary Clinton&#39;s presidential campaign, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/22/politics/us-officials-info-suggests-trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians/index.html" target="_blank">CNN </a>reports, citing US officials.

One source told CNN that this is what FBI Director James Comey alluded to when he announced on Monday that not only was the FBI investigating Russian interference in the US election, but the Trump campaign&#39;s ties to Russia.

The information the FBI is now reviewing, CNN reports citing those US officials, includes: human intelligence, travel, business and phone records and accounts of in-person meetings.

US officials told CNN this information intelligence was not taken from the leaked dossier of unverified compiled by Christopher Steele, who was hired by Trump&#39;s opponents (first Republicans, then by Democrats), though that dossier also suggested there was coordination between Russian operatives and the Trump campaign.

These officials have cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and that the information was not conclusive, though it has raised the suspicions of FBI counterintelligence that &quot;coordination&quot; may have taken place.

&quot;Coordination&quot; is a term Comey described during the Monday&#39;s House Intelligence hearing: He made a distinction between two parties actively working together, and one party manipulating a second party into advancing the first party&#39;s interests without them knowing.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Background: Is there anything else&nbsp;to suggest links between Trump and Russia?

Two days after the US election, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/moscow-had-contacts-with-trump-team-during-campaign-russian-diplomat-says/2016/11/10/28fb82fa-a73d-11e6-9bd6-184ab22d218e_story.html?utm_term=.30420cbf06da" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> reported&nbsp;Russian officials saying they &quot;conferred&quot;&nbsp;with the Trump campaign, saying &quot;there were contacts&quot;, during the election.

&quot;Obviously we know most of the people from his entourage,&quot; said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Trump spokesman Hope Hicks said the campaign&nbsp;had &quot;no contact with Russian officials&quot;.

&nbsp;

Yesterday, an <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-03-22/urgent-manafort-s-plan-to-greatly-benefit-the-putin-government" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> report&nbsp;claimed that Paul Manafort, Trump&#39;s election campaign manager for 143 days, signed a $10 million anual contract&nbsp;in 2006 from a Russian billionaire&nbsp;to advance Russian president&nbsp;Vladimir Putin&#39;s interests.

Manafort <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/paul-manafort-resigns-from-trump-campaign-227197" target="_blank">stepped down</a> from Trump&#39;s campaign after it became known that he lobbied for the pro-Putin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort denies he is&nbsp;linked to Russia.

&nbsp;

As <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-trump-advisor-admits-to-innocuous-private-contact-with-russian-dnc-hacker-during-election-13270">WION </a>wrote on March 11, then-Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone has&nbsp;admitted to having direct contact with both Julian Assange of WikiLeaks and the hacker who hacked the Democrats&#39; emails during the US election Guccifer 2.0, who US intelligence says is really just a front for the Russian military intelligence agency.

On Monday&#39;s <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/03/20/1645393/-Comey-confirms-that-Russia-used-WikiLeaks-which-Trump-loves-to-release-hacked-information" target="_blank">hearing</a>, FBI Director James Comey said that the Russians hacked the Democrats and used &quot;cutouts&quot;...&quot;to cover up that they were the ones releasing&quot; the stolen information.

Roger Stone <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/20/politics/kfile-roger-stone-wikileaks-claims/" target="_blank">appeared </a>to have advanced knowledge of the contents of the emails WikiLeaks possessed before they were made public. Roger Stone has denied there was anything illegal or improper in this communication.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Wednesday@HillaryClinton is done. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wikileaks?src=hash">#Wikileaks</a>.
&mdash; Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/782443074874138624">October 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The first time WikiLeaks published Democrat campaign chief John Podesta&#39;s hacked emails came about&nbsp;two hours after the recording of Donald Trump saying he grabbed women &quot;<a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/10/7/13205842/trump-secret-recording-women" target="_blank">by the p*ssy</a>&quot;.

Afterwards, Trump praised WikiLeaks and continued throughout the election to use&nbsp;Podesta&#39;s hacked emails&nbsp;to cudgel Clinton.

During the third presidential debate, Donald Trump spoke directly to Russia, encouraging them to hack his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton, saying: &quot;Russia, if you&#39;re listening, I hope you&#39;re able to find the 30,000 [Democrat] emails that are missing.&quot;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gNa2B5zHfbQ" width="560"></iframe>

Trump&#39;s pick for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of the world&#39;s largest publicly traded&nbsp;international oil and gas company ExxonMobil, was personally awarded the &quot;Order of frienship&quot; from Vladimir Putin, given to &quot;reward foreign nationals whose work, deeds and efforts were aimed at the betterment of relations with the Russian Federation and its people&quot;. Despite having one of the most sought after jobs in politics anywhere Tillerson has no prior experience in politics.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/79fecace-0ee2-11e7-b030-768954394623" target="_blank">report </a>yesterday said Tillerson was &quot;stunned&quot; when he was approached for the job, as he was preparing for retirement.

Several members of Trump&#39;s campaign and White House administration have had contacts with Russian officials&nbsp;and lied about it, including: Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who had to recuse himself from any Trump-Russia probe after meeting Russian ambassador to the US Sergey&nbsp;Kislyak at least three times despite saying under oath he had never met any Russian officials;&nbsp;National Security Adviser Gen Michael Flynn, who had to resign after he was recorded discussing American sanctions against Russia with Ambassador Kislyak&nbsp;and lying about it, even to Vice President Mike Pence; Carter Page, and JD Gordon.

<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-russian-ambassador-sergey-kislyak-meeting-election-campaign-a7617261.html">Donald Trump</a> himself met with Kislyak, and has both denied and admitted to having a relationship with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCFgYzf4DV4" target="_blank">Vladimir Putin.</a>

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

US officials say this after FBI Director Comey announced that the US president is under formal investigation for his links to Russia

The FBI possesses information indicating associates of US President Donald Trump communicated with suspected Russian operatives to possibly coordinate the divulging of information damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, CNN reports, citing US officials. One source told CNN that this is what FBI Director James Comey alluded to when he announced on Monday that not only was the FBI investigating Russian interference in the US election, but the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. The information the FBI is now reviewing, CNN reports citing those US officials, includes: human intelligence, travel, business and phone records and accounts of in-person meetings. US officials told CNN this information intelligence was not taken from the leaked dossier of unverified compiled by Christopher Steele, who was hired by Trump's opponents (first Republicans, then by Democrats), though that dossier also suggested there was coordination between Russian operatives and the Trump campaign. These officials have cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and that the information was not conclusive, though it has raised the suspicions of FBI counterintelligence that "coordination" may have taken place. "Coordination" is a term Comey described during the Monday's House Intelligence hearing: He made a distinction between two parties actively working together, and one party manipulating a second party into advancing the first party's interests without them knowing. Background: Is there anything else to suggest links between Trump and Russia? Two days after the US election, the Washington Post reported Russian officials saying they "conferred" with the Trump campaign, saying "there were contacts", during the election. "Obviously we know most of the people from his entourage," said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Trump spokesman Hope Hicks said the campaign had "no contact with Russian officials". Yesterday, an Associated Press report claimed that Paul Manafort, Trump's election campaign manager for 143 days, signed a $10 million anual contract in 2006 from a Russian billionaire to advance Russian president Vladimir Putin's interests. Manafort stepped down from Trump's campaign after it became known that he lobbied for the pro-Putin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort denies he is linked to Russia. As WION wrote on March 11, then-Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone has admitted to having direct contact with both Julian Assange of WikiLeaks and the hacker who hacked the Democrats' emails during the US election Guccifer 2.0, who US intelligence says is really just a front for the Russian military intelligence agency. On Monday's hearing, FBI Director James Comey said that the Russians hacked the Democrats and used "cutouts"..."to cover up that they were the ones releasing" the stolen information. Roger Stone appeared to have advanced knowledge of the contents of the emails WikiLeaks possessed before they were made public. Roger Stone has denied there was anything illegal or improper in this communication. Wednesday@HillaryClinton is done. #Wikileaks. — Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) October 2, 2016 × The first time WikiLeaks published Democrat campaign chief John Podesta's hacked emails came about two hours after the recording of Donald Trump saying he grabbed women "by the p*ssy". Afterwards, Trump praised WikiLeaks and continued throughout the election to use Podesta's hacked emails to cudgel Clinton. During the third presidential debate, Donald Trump spoke directly to Russia, encouraging them to hack his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton, saying: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 [Democrat] emails that are missing." Trump's pick for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas company ExxonMobil, was personally awarded the "Order of frienship" from Vladimir Putin, given to "reward foreign nationals whose work, deeds and efforts were aimed at the betterment of relations with the Russian Federation and its people". Despite having one of the most sought after jobs in politics anywhere Tillerson has no prior experience in politics. A report yesterday said Tillerson was "stunned" when he was approached for the job, as he was preparing for retirement. Several members of Trump's campaign and White House administration have had contacts with Russian officials and lied about it, including: Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who had to recuse himself from any Trump-Russia probe after meeting Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak at least three times despite saying under oath he had never met any Russian officials; National Security Adviser Gen Michael Flynn, who had to resign after he was recorded discussing American sanctions against Russia with Ambassador Kislyak and lying about it, even to Vice President Mike Pence; Carter Page, and JD Gordon. Donald Trump himself met with Kislyak, and has both denied and admitted to having a relationship with Vladimir Putin. (WION)

New evidence suggests Trump associates may have coordinated with Russian officials: CNN

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