Paul Manafort has New York state fraud prosecution DISMISSED ..

Paul Manafort has New York state fraud prosecution DISMISSED because of ‘double jeopardy’ – opening way for Donald Trump to set him free with a pardon

Manhattan judge rules that state attorney general Letitia James’ attempt to prosecute disgraced Trump campaign chairman is invalid

Judge Maxwell Wiley agreed with Manafort’s attorneys that double jeopardy laws prevent the prosecution going ahead James had charged Manafort with mortgage fraud but Wiley ruled that he had already been convicted of ‘overlapping’ crime in federal court

Manafort is serving federal sentence and not due for release until Christmas Day 2024 but is currently in hospital after a ‘cardiac event.’ Ruling opens way for a presidential pardon or commutation which would free Manafort. Until now he would have still faced jail in New York under state laws, which are not covered by presidential pardon powers

New York lawmakers and governor Andrew Cuomo changed state’s double jeopardy laws to

Manhattan DA Cy Vance is to appeal the decision to dismiss the prosecution

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk .