Mueller Files Obstruction Charges Against Manafort

The New York Times reports:

The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, brought new obstruction charges on Friday against President Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and added allegations against a close associate, who prosecutors suspect has ties to Russian intelligence. Prosecutors said the obstruction charge relates to Mr. Manafort’s efforts to coach the stories of witnesses against him. He remains charged with money laundering, illegal foreign lobbying and lying to federal officials. Mr. Manafort’s longtime associate, Konstantin V. Kilimnik, was added to the case, and was charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Business Insider reports:



Friday’s court filing comes after Mueller’s office asked the court in a separate filing on Monday to revoke or revise the terms of Manafort’s bail in light of Manafort’s and Kilimnik’s alleged attempts to tamper with witness testimony in the Russia probe. Mueller is investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election and whether members of the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow. Mueller’s filing on Monday said Manafort’s alleged attempts to tamper with witness testimony took place over several days in February, after his longtime associate Rick Gates pleaded guilty in the Russia investigation and began cooperating with prosecutors.