Paul Manafort | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : April 16, 2025

Who is Paul Manafort?

Paul J. Manafort Jr. is an American political consultant and lobbyist who gained national prominence as Donald Trump’s campaign manager during the contentious 2016 presidential election. Known for his work with a variety of global clients, including leaders with questionable human rights records, Manafort's career has been marked by both significant political achievements and notable legal troubles. His high-profile associations, including a $10 million contract with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, have fueled speculation about foreign influence in U.S. politics.

Born on April 1, 1949, in New Britain, Connecticut, Manafort began his political career at a young age, serving as a delegate wrangler at the 1976 Republican National Convention. He later established himself in Washington's lobbying scene, co-founding the firm Black, Manafort & Stone. His work in Ukraine for then-President Viktor Yanukovych further solidified his reputation, but it ultimately led to legal scrutiny following the emergence of Russian interference allegations in the 2016 election. Following a series of indictments and guilt findings related to financial fraud, Manafort was sentenced to prison, highlighting his fall from a powerful political consultant to a figure ensnared in scandal.

Early Life and Education

Paul John Manafort Jr. was born on April 1, 1949, in New Britain, Connecticut. Growing up in a politically active family, Manafort's father, Paul J. Manafort Sr., served multiple terms as mayor of New Britain. His upbringing in this environment fostered an early interest in politics, leading him to engage with political structures from a young age. Manafort attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School, where he began to develop the skills that would later define his career in political consulting and lobbying.

Manafort pursued higher education at Georgetown University, where he graduated with a degree in business administration in 1971. He later obtained his law degree from the same institution in 1974. His education at Georgetown not only equipped him with a solid foundation in legal and business principles but also helped him cultivate valuable connections in the political arena. This strong educational background laid the groundwork for his future endeavors as a political consultant, lobbyist, and advisor in high-profile campaigns, including his prominent role in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Beginning a Career in Politics

Paul Manafort began his political career at a young age, demonstrating a knack for maneuvering within party dynamics. His first significant role came during the 1976 Republican National Convention, where he played a crucial role in rallying delegates to support President Gerald Ford over challenger Ronald Reagan. Despite Ford ultimately losing the general election to Jimmy Carter, Manafort's efforts showcased his skills in delegate management and political strategy, laying the foundation for a long and complex career in political consultancy and lobbying.

In 1980, Manafort contributed to Ronald Reagan's successful presidential campaign, further solidifying his position in the Republican Party. His experience during this pivotal election cemented his reputation as an adept political consultant. That same year, he co-founded the lobbying firm Black, Manafort & Stone alongside Roger Stone, which sought to combine their expertise in political strategy and lobbying tactics. This firm would serve high-profile clients, allowing Manafort to gain extensive experience in navigating the intricacies of U.S. politics, as well as lobbying for various international regimes.

Political Consultant and Lobbyist Success

Paul Manafort is best recognized as a prominent political consultant and lobbyist who influenced various political campaigns and foreign entities throughout his extensive career. After co-founding the lobbying firm Black, Manafort & Stone in 1980, he gained notoriety for providing advisory services to numerous high-profile clients, including controversial regimes in the Philippines, Kenya, and Nigeria. His ability to navigate complex political landscapes led to significant collaborations with prominent figures such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bob Dole. Through these high-stakes engagements, Manafort developed a reputation for using strategic tactics that often prioritized expedient political gain over ethical considerations.

Manafort's skills in managing political campaigns culminated in his role as Donald Trump's campaign manager during the 2016 presidential election. His experience in delegate wrangling from previous Republican conventions proved instrumental as Trump sought to solidify support within the party. Manafort’s involvement helped enhance Trump's appeal to key constituencies, although it later drew scrutiny due to his past undisclosed connections to foreign clients and potential financial improprieties. The combination of his extensive lobbying experience and political maneuvering solidified Manafort's position as a controversial yet influential figure in American politics, navigating the complexities of both domestic elections and international relations.

Manafort and Russia Involvement

Paul Manafort's entanglement with Russia began to take shape in 2006 when he signed a lucrative $10 million per year contract with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch closely linked to President Vladimir Putin. This relationship opened doors to Manafort in the Russian business landscape, as it provided him with significant financial backing. In 2006, he, along with business associate Rick Gates, established Pericles, a private equity fund where Deripaska was a noted investor. This alliance illustrated Manafort's willingness to engage with controversial figures for business purposes, leading to further scrutiny of his activities, especially in connection to his later work with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Manafort's connections to Russia heightened concerns about potential foreign influence in U.S. politics. Reports surfaced indicating that while working for Trump, he attempted to offer Deripaska private briefings about the campaign's progress, signaling a deep intertwining of his business dealings and political maneuvering. Additionally, Manafort's significant financial ties, including an alleged $60 million in business dealings with Deripaska, prompted an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into whether these connections influenced the outcomes of the presidential election. This investigation laid the groundwork for Manafort's later legal troubles and the scrutiny that defined his career during this tumultuous period.

Work in Ukraine

Paul Manafort began his significant involvement in Ukrainian politics by working for Viktor Yanukovych and his Party of Regions after allegations of electoral fraud and controversies surrounding the 2004 presidential election. His expertise in political consulting and strategy was pivotal in rehabilitating Yanukovych's image following the annulment of his initial victory. Manafort used his skills to guide Yanukovych through a successful presidential campaign in 2010, focusing on consolidating his support among pro-Russian voters while navigating the complex Ukrainian political landscape, which was deeply divided between pro-Russian and pro-Western factions.

Following Yanukovych's ascension to the presidency, Manafort continued to exert influence through his consultancy firm, which garnered substantial payments for its services. Between 2012 and 2014, his firm received over $17 million from Ukrainian clients, showcasing the lucrative nature of his lobbying work in Eastern Europe. However, this involvement also attracted criticism as many of Manafort's clients displayed a disregard for human rights, raising ethical questions about his role in international politics. Ultimately, his connections in Ukraine became a significant part of the scrutiny surrounding his later work with Donald Trump's campaign.

Trump Campaign Manager Role

During the 2016 presidential election, Paul Manafort stepped into the spotlight as Donald Trump’s campaign manager. His entry came at a critical juncture for the campaign, which faced the risk of delegate defections. With a history of political maneuvering, including experience at the 1976 Republican National Convention, Manafort was brought on board in March 2016. By June, he had taken the reins as the campaign manager, positioning himself at the forefront during key moments, including the Republican National Convention.

Manafort's approach to the campaign was marked by an unusual offer of service without a fee, a departure from his typical business strategy. Although he had previously procured a relationship with Trump through mutual acquaintances, his management style emphasized a methodical control over the campaign’s strategy and messaging. Notably, Manafort was present during controversial meetings, including one with a Russian lawyer purportedly promising damaging information about Hillary Clinton. His involvement in the campaign ultimately intertwined his career with investigations into foreign influence and electoral integrity, culminating in significant legal challenges following the election.

Indictments and Legal Troubles

Paul Manafort's legal troubles began to escalate dramatically in 2017 when he was indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment included 12 counts, such as conspiracy and money laundering, stemming from an investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which sought to uncover Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Manafort's indictment not only highlighted his alleged financial misconduct but also raised questions about his previous work as a foreign agent without registering. His 2017 charges were compounded by further accusations, leading to a total of 32 counts by the early months of 2018, all of which painted a stark picture of a man entangled in deep financial and legal issues.

Manafort's first trial commenced in July 2018, where he faced charges related to tax and bank fraud. Prosecutors described him as someone who believed the law did not apply to him, highlighting the extent of his alleged deception in securing loans and concealing income from his lobbying work. The trial concluded with Manafort being found guilty on eight counts, exposing his financial manipulations while leaving ten counts undecided. Facing severe consequences, he accepted a plea deal later that year, but controversies arose when he was accused of lying to investigators. Ultimately, his legal battles resulted in multiple prison sentences totaling a substantial period, further complicating his future amidst a backdrop of ongoing investigations and political upheaval.

Trial and Conviction

Paul Manafort's legal troubles culminated in a high-profile trial that began on July 31, 2018, in Alexandria, Virginia. He faced 18 charges, primarily revolving around financial fraud linked to his consultancy work in Ukraine. Prosecutors presented evidence showing how Manafort concealed earnings and misled banks to secure loans, portraying him as a man who operated under the belief that the law was not applicable to him. The defense, however, tried to shift the blame onto Manafort's former associate, Rick Gates, arguing that Manafort had simply trusted the wrong person. Gates provided damning testimony that implicated Manafort further, detailing their elaborate efforts to engage in fraudulent activities.

After a lengthy deliberation, the jury ultimately found Manafort guilty on eight counts, including several charges of tax fraud and bank fraud, resulting in significant convictions. While the prosecution sought a harsh sentence of up to 80 years in prison, the presiding judge, T.S. Ellis, later declared a mistrial on ten other counts. As his legal saga continued, Manafort seemed to entertain the idea of a plea deal before ultimately pleading guilty to two counts in September 2018, which included conspiracy against the United States and obstruction of justice related to witness tampering. His sentencing reflected the tension between his extensive history of political consulting and the serious nature of his financial crimes, resulting in a sentenced term of 47 months, which many perceived as lenient.

Personal Life: Married to Kathleen with two daughters

Paul Manafort is married to Kathleen Manafort, a dedicated professional who graduated from George Washington University in 1979. She continued her studies, obtaining a law degree from Georgetown University in 1988, showcasing her commitment to education and career development. Together, the couple has built a family with two daughters, Jessica and Andrea, who have both pursued successful paths following their father’s high-profile career in politics.

Jessica, born in 1982, has made headlines in her own right, particularly due to her marriage to Jeffrey Yohai, which ended in divorce in March 2017. Before the divorce, Paul Manafort was known to have financially supported many of his son-in-law's real estate endeavors, underscoring the family's interconnections within the business world. Andrea, born in 1985, has also maintained a lower profile compared to her sister but remains a significant part of the Manafort family dynamic. The Manafort family's life intertwines with both personal and political narratives, marking their ongoing relevance in public discourse.

Net Worth and Earning: Significant earnings from lobbying

Paul Manafort has accumulated substantial wealth throughout his career, primarily through his work as a political consultant and lobbyist. His reputation for navigating complex political landscapes made him a sought-after figure for clients across the globe, including some of the most controversial regimes. Manafort established his lobbying firm, Black, Manafort & Stone, which contributed significantly to his earnings. Over the years, his firms received multimillion-dollar contracts, including more than $17 million from clients in Ukraine between 2012 and 2014, underscoring his influence and the high stakes involved in his work.

In addition, Manafort’s lucrative contract with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, reportedly valued at $10 million annually, highlights the business opportunities he cultivated while working internationally. These diverse revenue streams not only augmented Manafort's personal net worth but also placed him at the center of a web of international politics and finance. However, his financial dealings would later come under scrutiny during investigations into his activities, reflecting the precarious balance between political influence and ethical considerations in lobbying.