Daily Beast: Mueller Taps Elite IRS Unit for Russia Probe Help

Special counsel Robert Mueller has joined forces with an elite IRS investigative unit for the Russia probe, according to a new report.

The Daily Beast wrote Thursday that agents from IRS' Criminal Investigations unit are now working the case as Mueller looks into whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia.

The Criminal Investigations unit focuses on financial crimes such as tax evasion and money laundering. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is one focus of Mueller's investigation, and he reportedly has ties to Russia and the Ukraine — and may not have, according to the Daily Beast, disclosed to the IRS that he had a foreign bank account.

"IRS special agents are the very best in the business of conducting financial investigations," retired IRS Criminal Investigations agent Martin Sheil told the Daily Beast. "They will quickly tell you that it took an accountant to nab Al Capone, and it's true."

Mueller is said to be closing in on Manafort as he and the Department of Justice attempt to persuade him to provide more information pertaining to the investigation. Manafort's home was the subject of an early-morning FBI raid in July.

It was reported this week that Mueller is working with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to further scrutinize Manafort's finances. 

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