Robert Mueller's Russia investigation cost is now at $25 million and counting

WASHINGTON – Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller reported Friday that his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election cost nearly $8.5 million from April through September.

Mueller's team spent nearly $17 million during the previous year, bringing the total cost of the investigation so far to more than $25.2 million.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the probe a “witch hunt” and criticized its cost, saying it should be concluded.

Mueller was appointed May 17, 2017, after Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey. The investigation has no deadline for completion, but Mueller’s team of more than a dozen prosecutors has charged more than 30 people and three companies so far.

In the latest developments:

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•Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, had a hearing Tuesday to discuss Mueller's voiding of his plea agreement amid allegations he lied repeatedly to investigators. He faces sentencing Feb. 8 for tax charges in Virginia and March 5 in the District of Columbia for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. 

•Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for tax charges, campaign-finance violations and lying to Congress.

•Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser, is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday for lying to investigators about contacts with Russians during the transition.

The team’s expenses for April through September totaled nearly $4.6 million. The figure included nearly $2.9 million in compensation and benefits. Rent, utilities and communications totaled $942,787. Travel and transportation for others cost $580,098. And contractual services cost $310,732.

Components of the Justice Department supported Mueller’s team, which the team said needn’t necessarily have been reported, cost of $3.9 million from April through September.