News Feed

Paul Manafort Transferred To New Prison After Receiving “VIP” Treatment In Old Facility

President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was transferred to a new prison Tuesday, just one day before the prosecution charged him with receiving “VIP” treatment at his former rural detention.

According to the prosecution’s filing, Manafort had enjoyed numerous “unique privileges” at the Virginia facility including access to his personal laptop and telephone. The former chairman was also granted his own “self-contained living unit, which is larger than other inmates’ units, his own bathroom and shower facility… and his own workspace to prepare for trial” says prosecutors. The inmate didn’t even have to wear a prison uniform.

The 69-year old is currently under arrest for bank fraud and money laundering with his criminal trial set to commence later this month.

But, Manafort’s lawyers filed a motion to delay the trial, claiming the considerable distance between the prison and courthouse impeded their trial preparations given that they could not meet with their client when necessary.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The prosecution begged to differ, citing the 300-plus calls Manafort made to his attorneys and several others over the past three weeks. They also noted that he speaks to his legal team on a daily basis, with no limits set on how many calls he can make or emails he can send.

50 Celebrities Who Have Died In 2018 – Tribute Slideshow

Judge T.S Ellis offered a solution, ordering Manafort be transferred to a closer jailhouse located in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C so that he could meet with his defense more frequently.

Despite their recent complaint, Manafort’s lawyers swiftly objected, citing concerns over the inmate’s safety and the potential “challenges he will face in adjusting to a new place of confinement.”

SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

Judge Ellis was reportedly bewildered by the defense’s sudden reversal.

“It is surprising and confusing when counsel identifies a problem and then opposes the most logical solution to that problem,” wrote Judge Ellis. But, Ellis remained firm in his decision. The “Defendant’s access to counsel and his ability to prepare for trial trumps his personal comfort,” noted Ellis.

Manafort is also currently facing additional charges for violating federal lobbying laws as well as obstructing justice by attempting to sway the testimony of two government witnesses.

Prosecutors for Robert Mueller’s special counsel probe have speculated that the motion for a delay was a strategic move so that Manafort would have to face charges in Washington first.

Cathryn Casatuta

Share
Published by
Cathryn Casatuta

Recent Posts

Trump’s ‘Doomsday Plane,’ Able To Survive A Nuclear Attack, Takes Mysterious Flight Amid Tensions With Iran

President Donald Trump's 'Doomsday plane' was seen taking an uncommon flight from Louisiana to Maryland…

16 hours ago

Democrats Demand Palantir Provide Details On Trump Administration’s Mega-Database Of Americans’ Private Information

Democratic lawmakers are demanding that tech company Palantir provide Congress with additional details about its…

16 hours ago

N.Y. Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgato Faces Long Odds In Bid To Unseat His Boss, Gov. Kathy Hochul

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (D) wants to unseat his boss, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul…

20 hours ago

Supreme Court Allows Trump Plan To Deport Migrants To South Sudan & Other Third Countries

On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deport migrants to "third countries"…

20 hours ago

Trump Drops F- Bomb Slamming Israel’s Continued Bombing Of Iran After Ceasefire

On Tuesday, Iran and Israel announced a ceasefire after 12 days of fighting. But Israel…

21 hours ago

Trump Nominates Right-Wing Podcaster Paul Ingrassia, Who Has Used White Supremacist Rhetoric, To Head Ethics Agency

President Donald Trump has nominated a former right-wing podcaster to lead a federal watchdog agency.…

2 days ago