Paul Manafort strikes plea deal with Mueller, new court filing shows

Advertisement
Paul Manafort strikes plea deal with Mueller, new court filing shows

Advertisement
  • Paul Manafort has struck a plea deal with the special counsel Robert Mueller.
  • Manafort will plead guilty to two counts: conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy against the US.
  • Manafort has not withdrawn from his joint defense agreement with President Donald Trump, indicating that his plea deal does not include an agreement to cooperate.

Paul Manafort has struck a plea deal with the special counsel Robert Mueller, new court filings show.

Prosecutors filed a criminal information against Manafort in court early Friday, shortly before a pretrial hearing during which lawyers for both sides are expected to announce the terms of Manafort's guilty plea.

According to the document, Manafort will plead to two counts: conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy against the US. It is unclear whether Manafort's plea includes an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors in the Russia investigation, which is probing Russia's interference in the 2016 election and whether members of President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to tilt the race in his favor.

However, a source close to Trump's legal team with direct knowledge of the matter told Business Insider that Manafort has not withdrawn from his joint defense agreement with Trump. That indicates that he likely will not flip and cooperate with prosecutors.

Advertisement

Manafort is the former chairman of Trump's campaign. He was the subject of two indictments from Mueller's office and was convicted on eight counts of tax and bank fraud last month after his first trial in Virginia. The second indictment charged him with conspiracy, obstruction, money laundering, false statements, and illegal lobbying.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

{{}}