Justice Department sues Paul Manafort for $3 million

The Justice Department is suing Paul Manafort, the first campaign chairman in President Donald Trump's 2016 bid, for roughly $3 million for failing to report his financial interest in foreign accounts within the timeframe allotted. 

"The United States of America brings this action to collect outstanding civil penalties assessed against Defendant Paul J. Manafort for his willful failure to timely report his financial interest in foreign bank accounts," the department wrote in filing the suit Thursday in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Manafort was convicted on tax evasion charges several years ago, before being pardoned by Trump in 2020. 

An attorney for Manafort said his client "was aware the government was going to file the suit because he has tried for months to resolve this civil matter. Nonetheless, the government insisted on filing this suit simply to embarrass Mr. Manafort."

He said Manafort is being targeted for financial penalty "for simply failing to file a tax form."

During his last go around with government prosecutors, a team accused Manafort of hiding $16 million from U.S. tax authorities, then lying to banks to secure an additional $20 million in loans.