Manafort spokesman testifies before grand jury in Russia probe

Jason Maloni, a spokesman for President Trump’s ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, testified on Friday before a federal grand jury for more than two hours as part of a probe looking into possible collusion between the Russian government and the campaign, Politico reported. 

Maloni is the latest person to testify as part of the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller. 

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Mueller has increasingly focused on Manafort as a key figure in the investigation, after it was revealed Manafort had been present at a secretive meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian attorney seeking damaging information on Hillary Clinton. The president’s son was called to testify before a Senate committee. 

Maloni is a political consultant who was was hired by Manafort in March to assist him in dealing with inquiries into his work with Trump. It is unclear exactly why he was subpoenaed to testify before the jury. 

Prosecutors are also looking into Manafort’s business ties to Russia and a possible money laundering scheme. 

Mueller impaneled the grand jury to hear testimonies from key witnesses with possible involvement in the election meddling. The FBI launched a raid on Manafort’s Alexandria, Va., home in July in search of evidence related to the case.