- The Washington Times - Wednesday, August 22, 2018

President Trump praised his former campaign manager Paul Manafort on Wednesday for not cutting a deal with prosecutors like Michael Cohen did — and declared the trial was a “witch hunt.”

The president said he, “felt very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family.” 

The president pointed to the fact that ten counts were undecided in the verdict. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial on those charges.

 

A jury in Alexandria, Virginia, found Mr. Manafort guilty on eight counts of bank and tax fraud on Tuesday. He faces another court case in September across the river in D.C.

The verdict came just as Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, bank fraud and tax evasion. In his plea, the president’s former lawyer said his actions were coordinated and directed by a candidate for federal office.

In comparison to his praise of Mr. Manafort, the president slammed Mr. Cohen. He accused Mr. Cohen of “making up stories in order to get a deal” and brushed off the charges in the guilty plea by arguing that campaign finance violations were not a crime.

• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.

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