Former Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone sued by US Justice Department

The US Department of Justice claims that the former lobbyist owes $2 million in unpaid tax

Roger Stone said claims of him living a lavish lifestyle were 'a laughable joke'. AP Photo

The US Department of Justice is suing Roger Stone for about $2 million in unpaid federal income taxes it claims is owed by the close ally of former president Donald Trump.

The civil lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, alleges that Mr Stone and his wife, Nydia, used a commercial entity to "shield their personal income from enforced collection and fund a lavish lifestyle despite owing nearly $2 million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties", reported Reuters.

Mr Stone said his tax bill has been public knowledge for years and called claims of a lavish lifestyle "a laughable joke".

"This is yet another example of the Democrats weaponising the Justice Department in violation of the rule of law. I will fight these politically motivated charges and I will prevail again," Mr Stone said.

Mr Stone, 68, is a colourful Republican political operative, known for his high-end wardrobe and tattoo on his back of former president Richard Nixon.

When Mr Trump considered running for president in 2000, Mr Stone was an advisor.  He also briefly worked on Mr Trump's successful 2016 presidential campaign.

Mr Stone was indicted by Robert Mueller, the former special counsel tasked with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Mr Mueller’s investigation, which Mr Trump called a “witch hunt,” led to criminal charges against dozens of people, including Trump associates such as political strategist Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Many former officials and supporters of Mr Trump benefitted from the president's use of "executive clemency" and were pardoned before he left office.

US President Donald Trump's former Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon exits Manhattan Federal Court following his arraignment on fraud charges over allegations that he used money from his group "We Build The Wall" on personal expenses in New York, August 20, 2020. AFP

A federal jury in Washington convicted Mr Stone on seven counts of lying to Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

At trial, prosecutors said Mr Stone told five different lies to legislators on the US House Intelligence Committee about his contacts with the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks.

Mr Trump granted Mr Stone a presidential pardon in December.

He had previously commuted Mr Stone's sentence, allowing him to avoid a prison sentence.