Mueller has broad authority to investigate Trump's former campaign boss

Robert Mueller, the U.S. JusticeDepartment's special counsel, is specifically authorized toinvestigate allegations that Paul Manafort, U.S. President DonaldTrump's former campaign chairman, colluded with Russia tointerfere with the 2016 presidential election, a court filingshowed late on Monday.

Thecourt documents also show that Mueller is specificallyauthorized to investigate Manafort's ties to Ukraine's formerpro-Russia government.

The documents were filed in response to a motion by Manafortchallenging Mueller's authority to prosecute him.

Manafort does not currently face charges related to the 2016presidential election or Russian interference. But he is chargedwith bank fraud, filing false tax returns, conspiring againstthe United States by plotting to launder money and failing toregister as a foreign agent when he lobbied for the formerUkraine government.

His court action sought to have those charges dismissed,arguing that Mueller lacked the authority to investigate hisdealings with Ukraine.

No one on either side of the case was available for commentearly Tuesday.

Trump has frequently declared no collusion occurred betweenhis campaign and Russia.