Russian Oligarch’s Libel Suit Over Manafort Report Dismissed
- Judge says AP article didn’t defame Oleg Deripaska of Russia
- AP reported Manafort worked for billionaire to help Putin
Paul Manafort
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A U.S. judge dismissed a libel lawsuit filed by a Russian oligarch against the Associated Press over an article about his business relationship a decade ago with Paul Manafort, the former chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
AP, citing interviews and business records, reported on March 22 that Manafort, a political consultant, had secretly worked for the oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, with a plan to “greatly benefit” the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Manafort signed a $10 million contract starting in 2006 to work for Deripaska, a close Putin ally, according to the report.