Mueller files new charges against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates

AP

Robert Mueller.

Special counsel Robert Mueller filed new charges against two former officials on President Donald Trump's campaign on Thursday.

Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman, and Rick Gates, Manafort's deputy and longtime associate, were accused in a superseding indictment of misconduct related to tax and bank fraud. Specifically, the two men were charged with failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts; subscribing to false US individual income tax returns; subscribing to a false amended US individual income tax return; and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Manafort and Gates were initially indicted last October on 12 counts related to money laundering, tax fraud, conspiracy against the US, and failure to register as foreign agents.

Mueller's office is expected to announce a plea deal with Gates within the next few days, under which Gates has reportedly agreed to testify against Manafort.

Meanwhile, Manafort has continued resisting Mueller's attempts to flip him as a cooperating witness in the Russia probe, and Thursday's charges will likely put further pressure on Manafort to begin negotiating with the special counsel.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.