All major news outlets report that Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, has been accused of trying to tamper with potential witnesses ahead of his trial.
Robert Mueller, who is also investigating alleged Russian election interference, said Mr Manafort had contacted people related to his money laundering and tax fraud case in breach of his bail terms.
Mr Manafort, who denied all charges, is currently out on house arrest and a $10 million unsecured bail.
He awaits a trial in Virginia that is scheduled for late July and a trial in DC scheduled to begin in September. He has pleaded not guilty to charges related to his failure to disclose his US lobbying work for a foreign government and to bank fraud and other financial crimes. Tampering with a witness is a crime in itself — and it’s one Manafort has not yet been charged with.
CNN reports that the new allegation places even more pressure on the former Trump campaign chairman, who has stared down prosecutors as they heaped charges on him and say they continue to investigate the possibility that he coordinated with Russians during the 2016 presidential election.
They are not connected with allegations of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during the US election. Trump denies any collusion and has consistently spoken of a witch hunt.
Mr Manafort’s first trial, on charges of money laundering and illegal lobbying, is due to begin in September.
