MSNBC analyst says Russia paid $50,000 to gain influence with Trump -- not to 'rub shoulders' at inauguration

On Friday, Paul Manfort associate Samuel Patten pleaded guilty to funneling money from a foreign source to President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Patten helped Russian officials buy tickets to Trump's inauguration.

"Were they just paying to party it up with D.C. politicians or to get access to the incoming administration, so they could ultimately shape policy and have some kind of influence," the MSNBC's host said to his guest.

Former U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis went off at the thought that Russian officials paid $50,000 for tickets.

"We are not in the wind-down phase of this investigation. They are still indicting people and charging people and it's going to continue," he said.

Lewis added, "It's going to continue. Follow the money. They didn't pay $50,000 to rub shoulders with a bunch of politicians. It's not the way Washington works. You pay the money, and you have an expectation of something in return."

Watch the video below via MSNBC.