Prosecutors mull charges against Russians in DNC hacking: report

Justice Department investigators have identified at least six Russian government officials who took part in hacking the Democratic National Committee (DNC), The Wall Street Journal reported early Thursday.

Prosecutors may file charges next year, according to the report, but the individuals likely won’t be indicted in the United States.

The newspaper noted that the investigation into the hacking is separate from that of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, including any potential ties between President Trump’s campaign staff and the Kremlin. 

{mosads}WikiLeaks posted the DNC’s emails as well as those of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, during the course of the 2016 campaign.

News of the potential charges comes after Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, and Manafort’s former business associate Richard Gates, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them in a 12-count indictment that was unsealed on Monday.

Another former Trump campaign staffer, George Papadopoulos, has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in the course of its Russia probe.

The intelligence community early this year published a declassified report detailing its conclusion that Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an influence campaign meant to help Trump win the White House.