NYT: Manafort Advising Iraqi Kurds in Push for Independence

Paul Manafort is reportedly working for officials in the Kurdish region of Iraq as they try to gain independence from the country.

Manafort, who worked as President Donald Trump's campaign chairman for a brief time last year, finds himself one target of a Department of Justice probe that might result in him being indicted. But according to The New York Times, that has not stopped him from conducting international consulting business.

Iraq's Kurdish region, which covers portions of the country's north, is scheduled to vote on a referendum next Monday. Manafort was brought in over the summer to help the effort before and after the vote.

The United States does not want the Kurdish region to separate from the rest of Iraq out of fears it could destabilize the already fragile region. Manafort, however, is reportedly advising officials as they attempt to gain independence.

The Times noted Manafort has traveled to Iraq multiple times since taking the job and has a man on the ground in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region.

Manafort is also working with a Chinese construction billionaire and has discussed deals involving the China Development Bank and Ecuador.

Federal authorities are investigating Manafort as part of the larger Russia probe. FBI agents raided his home in Alexandria, Virginia, over the summer.

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