Tony Podesta Steps Down From Lobbying Firm Amid Mueller Investigation

Tony Podesta, brother of John Podesta and founder of the Democratic-leaning lobbying firm Podesta Group, has stepped down from his own firm while he is investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Mueller is conducting a probe into the 2016 presidential election, specifically for evidence of tampering and collusion involving Russia. The news that Podesta will be interviewed came after Paul Manafort and Rick Gates were indicted by the same probe.

Podesta made a name for himself as one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington, growing the Podesta Group from a small firm. Mueller’s investigation into him comes from a look at Manafort’s finances, as Politico reports that Podesta’s firm handled a PR campaign promoting Ukraine in the United States. Podesta handed the reins of his firm to its CEO, Kimberley Fritts.

Podesta likely stepped down because he didn’t want to inconvenience the firm any more—the Podesta Group has lost several clients and revenue streams since the Mueller investigation began.