Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort Paul John ManafortOur Constitution is under attack by Attorney General William Barr Bannon trial date set in alleged border wall scam Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE is asking a federal judge to throw out five criminal charges against him.

A lawyer for Manafort argued in court filings on Wednesday that the charges had nothing to do with special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The court filings acknowledged that Mueller had been given a broad mandate to prosecute any alleged crimes that may arise from his overarching Russia investigation, but said that the special counsel had cashed a "blank check."

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"The appointment order here purports to give the Special Counsel power to investigate a specifically identified matter and anything that arises in the course of the investigation, without further consulting or obtaining approval from the Attorney General or Acting Attorney General," the filings read.

"The regulations do not allow for such an expansive appointment."

Manafort previously filed a lawsuit arguing that Mueller's actions have extended beyond the mandate of his investigation and prosecutorial authority.

The motion to dismiss the charges on Wednesday also signals that Manafort is likely to continue to fight the charges. Richard Gates, a longtime business associate of Manafort who was indicted alongside him last year, pleaded guilty last month and is cooperating with investigators.

The charges against Manafort stem from alleged money laundering, tax evasion and fraud spanning years before he went to work on President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE's campaign.

After Gates pleaded guilty last month, prosecutors filed an additional 18 charges against Manafort.