Paul Manafort’s fraud case in New York was dismissed, blocking local prosecutors’ effort to undercut a potential Trump pardon
By
Shayna Jacobs
Dec. 18, 2019 at 11:14 a.m. EST
NEW YORK — A state court judge in Manhattan dismissed Paul Manafort’s residential mortgage fraud case Wednesday, deciding the local charges against President Trump’s former campaign chairman amounted to a double-jeopardy violation.
Manafort, 70, who was previously convicted in a pair of federal cases related to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III III’s investigation of election interference in 2016, was hospitalized in recent days and excused from appearing in court.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley said state law prohibits the type of case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in an effort to ensure Manafort would be held accountable and remain in custody should Trump move to issue a pardon for the federal convictions. With limited exceptions, the premise of double jeopardy prevents multiple prosecutions stemming from the same crimes.
“Basically, the law of double jeopardy in New York State provides a very narrow window for prosecution,” Wiley said at the brief court proceeding. He also issued a 26-page ruling that details his finding.
more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/paul-manaforts-fraud-case-in-new-york-was-dismissed-blocking-local-prosecutors-effort-to-undercut-a-potential-trump-pardonrdon/2019/12/18/413d334a-21a1-11ea-86f3-3b5019d451db_story.html?utm_campaign=post_most&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
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