The federal Russia investigation being conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller has so far cost about $17 million, according to a report the DOJ released on Thursday.
The special counsel’s office released its mandatory statement of expenditures itemizing costs accrued between October 2017 and March 2018. About $10 million was spent within that six-month timeframe. About $6.7 million was spent in the opening 4 1/2 months of the probe, which began in May 2017.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs for October 2017 through March 2018, which according to the special counsel’s office, is within the approved budget:
- Salaries and benefits for employees in the special counsel’s office: $874,069
- Cost of Justice Department employees temporarily assigned to the special counsel’s office: $1.9 million
- Travel expenses: $532,340
- Information technology services: $226,730
- Supplies and materials: $29,694
The Russia investigation was launched as part of an effort to determine the extent of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, and to see whether members of Donald Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia.
Mueller has also been working to determine whether Trump attempted to obstruct justice in connection with the investigation after he took office.
Trump has frequently railed against the investigation, calling it a “witch hunt” and scrutinizing its cost.
Read the latest expenditure report below:
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