The cooperation is the latest sign that the investigation into Trump's former campaign chairman is intensifying.
“New York’s attorney general Eric Schneiderman is now working with special counsel Robert S. Mueller in the probe of financial transactions involving Paul Manafort.
“This sends an important message to Trump: Trump can’t give Manafort an “advance” pardon in order to reduce Mueller’s ability get Manafort to squeal on Trump. A president’s pardon power doesn’t extend to state crimes, but only to offenses against the United States (Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution).
Here’s the introduction to the story by Politico’s Josh Dawsey:
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.
Manafort has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has previously denied it. A spokesman for Manafort didn’t return phone calls seeking comment.
By Josh Dawsey
