Judge rules Mueller probe can’t be discussed at second Manafort trial: report

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign cannot be discussed at the upcoming trial of former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Reuters reports that the judge ruled in a pre-trial hearing that Mueller’s Russia investigation could not be discussed in Manafort’s second criminal trial, which is slated to begin later this month in Washington, D.C.

{mosads}Manafort faces seven charges, including illegal foreign lobbying and conspiracy to launder money. The charges have no direct links to the Russia-oriented accusations against Trump.

Sam Patten, a former associate of Manafort, pleaded guilty last week to illegally acting as a foreign agent. He is now cooperating with the federal government.

Manafort was convicted last month on eight counts of bank and tax fraud.

Opening statements for Manafort’s second trial are scheduled for Sept. 24, a week after jury selection begins.