Robert Mueller ‘files new criminal charges in Paul Manafort case’

A sealed filing at a clerk’s office for a district court in Washington, DC could indicate additional indictments in the case against President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates, or it could be a type of charge called a criminal information, which would indicate an agreement between prosecutors and a defendant.

Both men were charged last year as part of Mr Mueller’s investigation into Russian efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

An indictment filed in October of 2017 alleged that Mr Gates and Mr Manafort concealed from the US government millions of dollars they made working for the Ukrainian government. The indictment also alleged that they failed to report having overseen the lobbying of American officials on behalf of Ukraine.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them, although reports in the past week have suggested that Mr Gates may be negotiating a plea deal with Mr Mueller’s team.

Both CNN and Reuters reported the new filing, but It is unclear when or if any new charges will be announced publicly.

A filing from the Special Counsel’s office last week hinted at a new dimension to the government’s case against Mr Manafort, saying prosecutors had uncovered “additional criminal conduct” that included “a series of bank frauds and bank fraud conspiracies,” including “criminal conduct” relating to a mortgage on one of Mr Manafort’s properties.

A spokesman for Mr Manafort declined comment. An attorney representing Mr Gates could not immediately be reached.

Source: Yahoo News