John McCain had concerns about Paul Manafort in 2008, rejected a bid for him to manage GOP convention

A new report from The Atlantic reveals the late Senator John McCain had concerns about Paul Manafort dating back to 2008.

Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman, was convicted on several counts of fraud and could face up to 80 years in prison.

The Atlantic reported that back in 2008, McCain, the then-Republican nominee, rejected a bid from Manafort to manage the GOP convention.

McCain reportedly had concerns over Manafort’s association with Russian oligarchs.

The report says Rick Davis, the McCain campaign manager, worked with Manafort at a lobbying firm. One of the firm's big clients was an ally to Vladimir Putin, billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who has recently become the subject of U.S. sanctions.

The billionaire even reportedly hosted a party on a yacht near Montenegro to mark the late Senator’s 70th birthday in the months leading up to the 2008 campaign. Davis’ and Manafort’s goal was that Deripaska could get closer to McCain.

McCain died at the age of 81 after battling brain cancer for a year.