{UAH} Paul Manafort could flip on a big fish — but that might not be Trump

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Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, pleaded guilty to two counts in his new Washington criminal case, and admitted guilt in the 10 counts outstanding from his earlier trial in federal court in Virginia. The shocking part is this: He agreed last week to cooperate with federal prosecutors. A more accurate statement would be that federal prosecutors have agreed to "cooperate" him. As with most cooperation agreements, Manafort will have to "come clean" and be completely forthcoming with documents and information, and voluntarily testify in court.

If Manafort gives the government substantial assistance, the sentencing benefits are significant. The government will file a motion for a "downward departure" from the sentencing guidelines for cooperation, and for an additional reduction (up to three "levels") for "acceptance of responsibility." These alone can reduce the sentence by decades.

Many are suggesting Trump should be worried about this situation, because Manafort very likely could have impressed special counsel Robert Mueller with what he knows about Trump. It's also been suggested that Manafort has ended up in the worst situation by waiting so long to cooperate.

That line of thinking goes like this: Manafort is facing stiff prison sentences in two courts after having spent a fortune preparing for and going to trial. But now, he also has to "flip" and testify against Trump, foreclosing the possibility of a pardon, and making his investment in two trials for naught.

Consider another scenario, however: What if this agreement is for cooperation against a high-level government official, but it's not Trump? What if it's not even an American official?

Mueller's original mission was to investigate Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. To date, he's indicted a lot more Russians than he has Americans — even though the Americans are the ones being convicted. No less than 25 Russians have been indicted, though most may never be brought to the United States for prosecution.

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*A positive mind is a courageous mind, without doubts and fears, using the experience and wisdom to give the best of him/herself.

 

 We must dare invent the future!
The only way of limiting the usurpation of power by
 individuals, the military or otherwise, is to put the people in charge  - Capt. Thomas. Sankara {RIP} '1949-1987

 *"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent

revolution inevitable"**…  *J.F Kennedy

 

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