OPINION:
Less than a year ago disgraced Democrat New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was seen as a stalwart soldier in the war against the Donald Trump presidency. In fact, he teamed up with Special Counsel Robert Mueller to help concoct an indictment against Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager.
In August 2017, Politico reported in breathless excitement about the top cop in New York and his efforts in getting to the bottom of alleged Russian collusion with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign:
Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is working with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on its investigation into Paul Manafort and his financial transactions, according to several people familiar with the matter.
The cooperation is the latest indication that the federal probe into President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman is intensifying. It also could potentially provide Mueller with additional leverage to get Manafort to cooperate in the larger investigation into Trump’s campaign, as Trump does not have pardon power over state crimes.
The two teams have shared evidence and talked frequently in recent weeks about a potential case, these people said. One of the people familiar with progress on the case said both Mueller’s and Schneiderman’s teams have collected evidence on financial crimes, including potential money laundering.No decision has been made on where or whether to file charges. “Nothing is imminent,” said one of the people familiar with the case.
Two months later, Mueller filed several indictments against Manafort for bank fraud and money laundering, charges Manafort vehemently denies.
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