After Trump Praised Him For Refusing To ‘Break,’ Manafort Talking Deal

Paul Manafort arrives for a hearing at US District Court on June 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. - A judge revoked Manafort's bail and sent him to jail over claims he was tampering with witnesses in the case against him ... Paul Manafort arrives for a hearing at US District Court on June 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. - A judge revoked Manafort's bail and sent him to jail over claims he was tampering with witnesses in the case against him brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort is in talks with special counsel Robert Mueller’s office about a potential plea deal, The Washington Post reported.

Bloomberg News reported Friday that Manafort was considering pleading guilty to some of the charges he’ll face in a Washington, D.C. court later this month in order to avoid the second trial.

According to two people with knowledge of the discussion who spoke to the Post, the discussions between Manafort and prosecutors is still preliminary, and it’s very possible that the talks could not produce a plea agreement. It is unclear if cooperating with prosecutors would be part of any agreement.

The reports come just weeks after Trump praised Manafort in a tweet, calling him a “brave man!” for refusing to “break” or “make up stories in order to get a ‘deal.'”

Manafort was found guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud crimes in a Virginia court and the jury was deadlocked on 10 other counts. In the D.C. court, Manafort will face money laundering, witness tampering and failure to disclose foreign lobbying charges.

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