Politics

Federal prosecutors said to be investigating lobbyist Tony Podesta after special counsel referral

Key Points
  • Federal prosecutors in New York are following a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller's office, NBC News reports.
  • The individuals being investigated include former lobbyist Tony Podesta, former Minnesota Republican Rep. Vin Weber and former Obama White House Counsel Greg Craig.
Tony Podesta
Rebecca D'Angelo | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Federal prosecutors are investigating former lobbyist Tony Podesta, former Rep. Vin Weber, R-Minn., and former Obama White House Counsel Greg Craig, NBC News confirmed, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.

CNN first reported the existence of the investigation.

Prosecutors for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York opened the investigation following a referral from the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, the sources told NBC.

NBC previously reported that Mueller had been looking into Podesta and his Democratic-leaning lobbying firm as part of its broader investigation into the finances of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Tony Podesta is the chairman of the Podesta Group. His brother, John Podesta, was the campaign chairman for Hillary Clinton and is not currently affiliated with the lobbying firm. He is also not part of the investigation.

A representative for Tony Podesta declined to comment to CNBC.

WATCH: The Trump-Russia ties hiding in plain sight

The Trump-Russia ties hiding in plain sight
VIDEO7:5607:56
The Trump-Russia ties hiding in plain sight