{UAH} PAUL MANAFORT RELEASED EARLY FROM PRISON

Paul Manafort released early from prison over coronavirus fears

By Priscilla DeGregory and Lee Brown

President Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was released from prison early Wednesday because of the coronavirus crisis, his attorney told The Post.

Manafort, 71, was picked up by his wife and another relative from FCI Loretto, a low-security federal prison in Pennsylvania, lawyer Kevin Downing confirmed.

The longtime GOP strategist had not been due to leave prison until November 2024 but will now serve the rest of his 7½-year sentence in home confinement.

His legal team fought for the release, citing his age and pre-existing health conditions, including a recent “cardiac event.”

While there are no known cases of coronavirus at FCI Loretto, sources told ABC News that the old monastery was a risk because of its open layout.

Paul Manafort AFP via Getty Images

The Bureau of Prisons told CBS it would not comment on Manafort’s case.

Manafort was convicted in August 2018 of tax evasion, failure to report foreign bank accounts, engaging in unregistered lobbying for foreign entities and witness tampering.

His crimes were first uncovered during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election and possible cooperation by the Trump campaign.

Manfort was just one of the high-profile prisoners who have used the pandemic to push for early release.

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