Sam Patten, 155 which worked for a similar political group from inside the Ukraine because Paul Manafort, pleaded bad to help you a strategy whereby the guy made use of American citizens since the “straw donors” so you’re able to direct $fifty,000 so you can Trump’s inaugural panel out-of foreign present. 156 Patten bought five entry to help you Trump’s inauguration on the behalf of an effective Ukrainian politician and you can oligarch, later on recognized as Serhiy Lyovochkin. Lyovochkin is no complete stranger so you’re able to creatively direction currency so you’re able to American lobbyists. Manafort’s trial inside Virginia revealed that, since the captain of team to own former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Lyovochkin allegedly routed payments to Manafort’s overseas organizations. 157