Lawsuit claims the alleged fraud, theft and conspiracy damaged the party and its 2016 nominee, Hillary Clinton

Tribune News Service

The Democratic National Committee has sued Russia, President Donald Trump’s campaign, WikiLeaks and others on Friday, alleging a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Manhattan, said “the Trump campaign and its agents gleefully welcomed Russia’s help,” which involved releasing hacked emails and spreading misinformation on social media.

“During the 2016 presidential campaign, Russia launched an all-out assault on our democracy, and it found a willing and active partner in Donald Trump’s campaign,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement. “This constituted an act of unprecedented treachery.”

The lawsuit — which seeks unspecified damages, likely in the millions of dollars — claims the alleged fraud, theft and conspiracy damaged the party and its 2016 nominee, Hillary Clinton.

Trump is not one of the people being sued by the Democrats, but the lawsuit does name Donald J. Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner and Roger Stone, among others.

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is still conducting a criminal investigation into whether anyone from Trump’s team conspired with Russia during the campaign.