The nonprofit subsequently paid at least $2.2 million to the lobbying firms to advocate positions generally in line with those of Yanukovych's government. Gates told the AP that he and Manafort introduced the lobbying firms to the European Centre nonprofit and occasionally consulted with the firms on Ukrainian politics. The heads of both lobbying firms told AP they concluded there was no obligation to disclose their activities to the Justice Department. The intent of using the two lobbying firms was unclear, but ironically, one of firms Manafort and Gates worked with has strong Democratic and Clinton ties. She said she had met with Manafort twice but said neither Manafort nor Gates played a role in its lobbying activities.

Source: Fox News August 17, 2016 20:37 UTC