Paul Manafort sentencing date set tentatively for March
Source: CBS News
In a sentencing conference on Friday, attorneys for special counsel Robert Mueller and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort agreed upon a tentative sentencing date of March 5, 2019. Manafort pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice in September. Manafort was not present for the proceeding.
President Trump has not ruled out pardoning Manafort. He told the New York Post earlier this week that while it "was never discussed, I wouldn't take it off the table." Manafort's lawyers have routinely briefed the president's lawyers about Manafort's cooperation with the special counsel, giving them a window into what the special counsel is interested in pursuing.
But the president's former campaign chairman may also face more charges, too, stemming from the special counsel's conclusion that he lied repeatedly to the government after signing a plea agreement to avoid his second trial. On Monday, the special counsel filed a report on Monday accusing Manafort of lying to federal investigators, thereby breaching the terms of his plea agreement.
Government attorney Andrew Weissmann brought up the filing in court. Although Judge Amy Berman Jackson said she wouldn't be considering the merits of the government's allegations Friday, she did ask if the government intended to bring any further charges against Manafort as a result of the alleged plea breach. Weissmann replied that he didn't know yet.
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CBS NEWS November 30, 2018, 1:03 PM
Reporting by Robert Legare and Grace Segers
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-manafort-sentencing-date-set-tentatively-for-march/
George II
(67,782 posts)...for crimes committed in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and I think Florida. Those crimes are not pardonable.
PJMcK
(22,050 posts)The state crimes are not pardonable BY TRUMP. They could be pardoned by the governors of those states.
Somehow, I doubt that Governors Cuomo, Murphy or Northam would be inclined to pardon the criminal.
George II
(67,782 posts)PJMcK
(22,050 posts)No love lost between the Governor and the Mayor, is there?!
Jarqui
(10,130 posts)Its important that Mueller has continued to make sure that a presidential pardon wont save Manafort. Manafort is pleading guilty to only two charges conspiracy and witness tampering but he is conceding to the other facts in the criminal information, which establish money laundering and mention the money laundering statute. So Manafort would still face slam-dunk state charges for money laundering, bank fraud, state tax fraud, and other crimes if he were to receive a presidential pardon (which affects only federal crimes).
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/paul-manafort-s-now-murky-plea-bargain-brings-challenges-him-n940581
A Trump pardon, however, would have no reach on potential state charges against Manafort.
If prosecutors went after him in New York, Virginia or California where Manafort has already admitted to defrauding banks and evading taxes the former campaign chairman could be looking at significant prison time that couldn't be erased by presidential pardon.
There is no double jeopardy in NY for tax fraud.
I think Manafort knew he was screwed when he cut the deal with Mueller. How could he not know? He just gave his $1.5 mil Florida house to his wife for $10. Trump's org is like a mob family
Pardoning him is too risky for Trump's obstruction of justice concerns.
I suspect he cut a deal for his family.
cstanleytech
(26,319 posts)is pardoned and he cannot hide behind the 5th amendment.
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)Any criminal attorneys here? Why so much time between guilty plea and sentencing? It would seem to go against the right for a speedy trial and sentencing.
-- Mal