New York – The Manhattan district attorney is preparing to file state criminal charges against Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, in case the president pardons him for his federal crimes, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing sources.
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The Times reported that District Attorney Cyrus Vance is expected to seek charges whether or not Trump pardons Manafort.
Manafort, 69 was convicted last August of bank and tax fraud. He is due to be sentenced in a federal court in Virginia on March 8, and faces up to 24 years in prison and a fine of up to $24 million.
Manafort is also due to be sentenced on March 13 in a parallel federal case in Washington.
He is one of the first people in Trump’s orbit to face criminal charges stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Both Trump and Russia have denied any election meddling.
The U.S. president can issue pardons for federal cases only, and Manafort could still face prison if found guilty of any state charges. There are strict provisions in the U.S. Constitution against “double jeopardy,” with the Fifth Amendment saying a person cannot be tried multiple times for the same alleged crime.
Some of Manafort’s New York property loans have also been investigating by Vance, sources have told Reuters. The local prosecutor issued subpoenas last year to lenders including Federal Savings Bank of Chicago, a small bank that provided millions in loans to Manafort, Reuters reported last year.
It is unclear whether Vance will pursue charges over the loans. A spokesman for Vance declined to comment.
We need to drain the swamp and fire this so called “DA”. Some chutzpa to go against a presidential pardon. very undemocratic. And its completely politically motivated. This is not about justice. There seems to be a cat race who can be more anti trump in NY. Its all about advancing careers. Don’t kid yourself. There is no altruistic motive Any get what the swamp is yet?
Can NY indict Trump or they have to wait 2 more years?
Trump will now think twice before he pardons himself as he said it a few times. Otisville is much better place than Rikers Island.
He did it. He knew it was wrong, but he did it anyway. He did not do it to feed his family. He did it to be rich. Lock him up and melt the key.
Whats your point? If a criminal get a Govt. Job he should be innocent from the crimes he or she did? Definitely would be good for Yiden.
Nothing to do with Trump. No one claims he is innocent. If the Feds let him free the State should prosecute him to the full extent of the Law.. 20 years ago Lemrick Nelson murdered an innocent Yid David Rosenberg. The State let him free. The Feds charged him and he went to Jail. Justice Done. The same here. If he did the CRIME he should do the TIME. Its called JUSTICE.
Trumpty Dumpty still has no wall,
Trumpty Dumpty will soon take a great fall.
For all his of fraud and all of his crime,
His family and friends will soon do their time.