Manafort bets on presidential pardon in special counsel case

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is now betting his future on a presidential pardon, legal sources with knowledge of his strategy tell CBS News' Paula Reid. According to the sources, Manafort is not planning to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and and will fight the charges through to trial.

It is unlikely that Manafort will escape conviction now that his co-defendant Richard Gates has agreed to work with the special counsel and the charges against him are no longer focused on rarely-prosecuted legal infractions involving the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Manafort was originally charged with money laundering and making false statements to investigators. Last month, after Gates pleaded guilty to two counts, the special counsel also charged Manafort with secretly paying European politicians to lobby on behalf of Ukraine.

But Manafort expects that the President would grant him a pardon. Legal sources close to the case – but not representing Manafort - believe that is a reasonable expectation.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/manafort-bets-on-presidential-pardon-in-special-counsel-case/ar-BBKOXs8?li=BBnbcA1

I don't think a "get out of jail free card" is going to play well with most people.

[LonePirate]

1. Accepting a pardon is an admission of guilt. Any co-conspirators might be shaking in their boots.

Manafort could be compelled to testify against any future defendants which they will not welcome.

[Le Gaucher]

2. what if he accepts the pardon and still refuses to cooperate?

can the pardon be revoked?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. No. The pardon is absolute.

He can be charged with contempt for failing to testify, or lying to a federal officer, or perjury. Then he can be pardoned again I suppose.

[Hoyt]

3. I think most trump supporters expect pardons for all these crooks and spies.

Without these crooks and scammers, trump wouldn't be Prez. Hence, they are fine with protecting them.

[avebury]

5. If Mannafort is guilty of any State

charges Presidential pardon won't help.

[Atticus]

6. Though I agree with your last sentence, Trump doesn't care in the slightest "what plays with" anyone

not named Donald Trump.

[lunatica]

7. I so hope Mueller can find a way around that

I’m pretty confident that if there’s a way to get a conviction that sticks in spite of any Trump pardon Mueller will find a way. Or maybe other prosecutors can take up the slack.

Do Presidential pardons include treason?