Days before in-person jury selection is set to begin in his second trial, President Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is in talks with the special counsel’s office about a possible plea deal, the Washington Post reports.
The discussions indicate a possible shift in strategy for Manafort, who earlier this year chose to go to trial in Virginia, only to be convicted last month in Alexandria federal court on eight counts of bank and tax fraud.
He faces up to 80 years in prison.
The specifics of Manafort’s current negotiations with prosecutors were unclear, including whether he would provide any information about the president. However, Manafort’s willingness to engage in talks could be a major setback for Trump.
Manafort is a longtime friend of Russian oligarchs and he, prosecutors alleged, laundered over $18 million in foreign funds.
Manafort served as Trump’s campaign manager for five months, during which he had a crucial and far-reaching role in the future president’s strategy and in the mission of the Republican Party.
He led the GOP to change its platform in 2016, and water down its support for Ukraine.