Donald Trump‘s former campaign manager Mr Manafort was told to surrender to investigators, the New York Times reported, quoting an unnamed source close to the inquiry.
It marks a huge development in the investigation as to whether Russia interfered with Mr Trump’s shock election win – and whether collusion took place between his team and Russia.
The charges would be the first from the investigation of Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed to look into alleged Russian meddling to sway the election in favour of Mr Trump.
The newspaper also said Mr Manafort’s former business partner Rick Gates has been told to contact investigators. They said both men would be taken into custody once they hand themselves in.
Mr Manafort, 68, served the Trump campaign from June to August of 2016 before resigning amid reports he may have received millions in illegal payments from a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine.
Mr Mueller has been investigating Manafort’s financial and real estate dealings and his prior work for that political group, the Party of Regions, which backed former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich.
Investigators also examined potential money laundering by Mr Manafort and other possible financial crimes, sources have told Reuters.
It comes after a furious Mr Trump posed a series of tweets about alleged Russian meddling.
He wrote on Tuesday: “The Dems are using this terrible (and bad for our country) Witch Hunt for evil politics, but the Republicans are now fighting back like never before.
“There is so much GUILT by Democrats/Clinton, and now the facts are pouring out. DO SOMETHING!
“All of this ‘Russia’ talk right when the Republicans are making their big push for historic Tax Cuts & Reform. Is this coincidental? NOT!”
A federal grand jury approved the indictment on Friday, with the first charges set to be unsealed today.
This is a breaking story, more to follow…