WASHINGTON | The Latest: Prosecutors file new Manafort charging documents
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WASHINGTON | The Latest: Prosecutors file new Manafort charging documents
WASHINGTON — The Latest on Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort (all times local): 9:30 a.m.
Prosecutors have filed new charging documents against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, signaling he may plead guilty ahead of a second trial next week.
The charges in Friday’s filing were contained in a criminal information, a document that can only be filed with a defendant’s consent and typically signals a deal has been reached.
The charges include conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Manafort is expected to appear in court later Friday morning. It’s unclear whether any agreement with prosecutors would require him to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Manafort was facing a second trial set to begin on Monday in Washington on charges related to Ukrainian political consulting work. ___ 8:10 a.m.
A court hearing was scheduled Friday for Paul Manafort amid reports that President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman was nearing a plea deal to avoid trial on charges stemming from work he did for pro-Russia political forces in Ukraine.
Several media outlets reported that Manafort is close to a plea deal with federal prosecutors. The New York Times said it was unclear whether such an agreement would include his cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s election meddling during Trump’s 2016 campaign.
The developments were first reported by ABC News, which said details of the deal would be announced in court on Friday. The network cited three unidentified sources with knowledge of the deal.
Manafort has already been convicted of financial fraud in Virginia.
By Associated Press