The probe of possible Russian meddling in The 2016 U.S. election, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, is wrapping up, Acting U.S. Attorney General MatThew Whitaker told reporters on Monday.
I've been fully briefed on The investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering The final report, he said at a press conference on U.S. charges against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. “Right now The investigation is I think close to being completed and I hope that we can get The report from Director Mueller as soon as possible.”
Without elaborating, Whitaker said: I am comfortable that The decisions that were made are going to be reviewed, he added.
The investigation most recently ensnared a long-time confidant of President Donald Trump, political operative Roger Stone, and has led to The conviction of Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.
Mueller, a former FBI director, was named by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in May 2017 to look into Russian meddling in The 2016 election.
Mueller's team has indicted a total of 34 people – but so far, no charges of outright collusion between The Trump campaign and Moscow have been filed. On Friday, Roger Stone, 66, a veteran Republican operative and longtime Trump adviser, was arrested at his Florida home by FBI agents on charges of making false statements to Congress and witness tampering.
Michael Cohen (C), former personal lawyer to U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives at federal court with his daughter Samantha Cohen (L), in New York, U.S., December 12, 2018. /VCG Photo
Six Trump associates have pleaded guilty to various charges so far including his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, former lawyer Michael Cohen and former national security advisor Michael Flynn.
Cohen will testify next week at a closed hearing of The U.S. House Intelligence Committee after postponing an appearance before anoTher congressional panel citing threats from Trump.
He is set to go to prison in March after pleading guilty to crimes including campaign finance violations during Trump's 2016 election campaign
I want to thank Michael Cohen for agreeing to appear voluntarily before The committee for closed testimony on Feb 8, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, The panel's chairman, said in a statement.
Last week, Cohen cited threats from Trump for postponing testimony before an open hearing of The House of Representatives Oversight Committee set for Feb 7. That hearing has not been rescheduled.
Russia denies any wrongdoing in The 2016 election. Trump has repeatedly said he was not involved in any collusion with Russia and has often referred to The probe as a witch hunt.
(REUTERS)