Mueller subpoenas former Manafort spokesman, attorney

Aug. 30 (UPI) -- The special prosecutor looking into potential ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and the Kremlin has subpoenaed a Washington, D.C., attorney and the spokesman for former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Spokesman Jason Maloni and Melissa Laurenza, an attorney at a law firm that formerly represented Manafort, each received subpoenas.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Maloni is being subpoenaed to turn over records of his work with Manafort for the last seven years, and testify before a federal grand jury.

Maloni, founder of the public relations firm JadeRoq, has been Manafort's representative since March.

The legal actions suggest the investigation of Robert Mueller is adding pressure on Manafort, the Journal reported.

Manafort, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, is under investigation for possible tax and financial violations. Investigators are looking into his work for Ukraine's former ruling party, CNN reported.

Mueller, a former head of the FBI, is investigating if Manafort was engaged in violations of lobbying and money-laundering laws, people familiar with the matter said.

It wasn't immediately clear how the new subpoenas relate to Mueller's broader investigation of possible ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Maloni's subpoena comes one month after federal agents raided Manafort's suburban Washington, D.C., home, looking for documents and tax information.

Several other subpoenas have been issued by Mueller's team in recent months.