- The Washington Times - Monday, February 11, 2019

A federal judge in Washington, DC on Monday sealed a filing in the criminal case against Sam Patten, a top Republican political consultant and associate of Paul Manafort.

Patten last year pleaded guilty to failing to register as a foreign agent for the lobbying work he did on behalf a Ukraine political party.

Both federal prosecutors and Patten’s legal team were set to file a status report in the case, which could contain details about the extent of his cooperation with the government.

But federal prosecutors asked Judge Amy Berman Jackson to keep the status report under seal, a motion she approved.

Judge Jackson sealed another motion in the case back in December.

As part of his plea agreement, Patten agreed to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team and other prosecutors. Mr. Mueller referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington.

Status filings also include a sentencing request. A sentencing date still has not been set for Patten.

It is not clear which cases Patten has offered cooperation. He has ties to Konstantin Kilimnik, who has ties to Russian intelligence. Mr. Mueller has alleged Manafort lied to investigators about his contacts with Mr. Kilimnik.

Patten has also admitted to using an American citizen as a “straw purchaser” buying tickets to Trump’s inauguration on behalf of a Ukrainian oligarch.

Prosecutors did not charge Patten with a crime related to the straw purchase.

Federal prosecutors in New York subpoenaed Trump’s inaugural committee for documents last week, seeking information on whether it illegally accepted foreign donations.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.

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