The Department of Justice has backed special counsel Robert Mueller in a lawsuit brought by former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Manafort sued the DOJ claiming that the Department overstepped its authority by appointing Mueller.
The lawsuit states that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s appointment of Mueller, “exceeds the scope of Mr. Rosenstein’s authority to appoint special counsel as well as specific restrictions on the scope of such appointments.” Therefore, Manafort contends, the charges brought against him by Mueller of money laundering and illegal foreign lobbying should be dropped. Manafort was indicted by Mueller in October.
The DOJ has asked a judge to dismiss Manafort’s lawsuit saying that the actions of both Rosenstein and Mueller have been within departments purview.
“The Special Counsel is properly operating within the scope of his authority, including with respect to Manafort’s ongoing criminal prosecution,” said that the DOJ’s brief.