Lev Parnas: Ukraine scheme was always about the Bidens, 'never about corruption'

In an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Wednesday, Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, contradicted President Trump's claims that he decided to withhold millions in military aid to Ukraine last summer because he was concerned about corruption in the country.

"It was never about corruption," Parnas said. "It was strictly about Burisma, which included Hunter Biden and Joe Biden." During a July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump asked him to investigate Joe Biden, a political rival, and his son Hunter, who recently served on the board for Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company. This conversation was central to Trump's impeachment charges.

Parnas worked with Giuliani in Ukraine, setting up meetings as Giuliani attempted to dig up dirt on the Bidens. Parnas said Trump "lied" when he said he didn't know him, and they had many one-on-one conversations. Parnas has been indicted on felony campaign finance violation charges, and told Maddow he decided to speak to her because "I want to get the truth out. I feel it's important for our country. I think it's important for me."

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