What role did two Giuliani associates play in the Ukraine meddling?

In October, federal prosecutors in New York charged two associates of Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, with campaign-finance violations. Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman are accused of laundering more than $300,000 that went to political groups backing Trump initiatives and to a Republican congressman, who they pressed to help in removing the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine at the time, Marie Yovanovitch. Parnas and Fruman have both pleaded not guilty, and no trial date has been set.

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The case could reveal more about Trump’s effort to dig up dirt in Ukraine on Democratic challenger Joe Biden and his son Hunter. And it could imperil Giuliani, who is under scrutiny in the ongoing investigation by the same office he once headed. Parnas and Fruman have also been drawn into the impeachment inquiry. They refused earlier requests to testify and turn over documents, saying their work for the president’s lawyer was protected by privilege. Parnas now says he’s willing to cooperate, though the criminal case hanging over him may limit what he’s able to say.

The same U.S. attorney’s office also prosecuted Trump’s previous personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who’s now in prison for lying to Congress. Cohen has cooperated with prosecutors in their investigations into alleged financial wrongdoing by Trump’s real estate company, campaign and inaugural committee.

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