U.S. judge questions special counsel's powers in Manafort case

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I'm totally OK with the judge's question. However, I'd be willing to bet that he ultimately decides against Manafort once documentation shows how tightly Manafort was connected to Russian money.

He may decide against Manafort, but not for that reason. Manafort was "tight with Russian money" before he was involved with the Trump campaign, and I've seen no evidence - nor has Mueller charged Manafort with - any activity that is connect to the Trump campaign.

Originally Posted by finnbow

However, if he sides with Manafort, the EDV will simply pick up the prosecution and move forward. Even if the case is moved to the EDV, there's still a strong likelihood that Manafort will be charged by Mueller in forthcoming conspiracy charges.

There will be no "conspiracy charge" because there's been no conspiracy. But you'd also need to define what the crime is that Manafort was involved in when committing conspiracy, because conspiracy on its own is not a crime.