2 FORMER AIDES ‘GUILTY’, TRUMP IMPLICATED

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: United States President Donald Trump suffered back-to-back blows on Wednesday when a court found one former aide guilty of eight charges, and another pleaded guilty to another eight, stemming from an investigation into the 2016 presidential election.

In New York, his former lawyer Michael Cohen admitted to charges including making illegal campaign contributions. He said Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model Karen Mcdougal – both of whom say they have had affairs with Trump. Cohen’s lawyer said his client had information of interest to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is handling a probe into alleged election meddling by Russia.

In Virginia, a jury found Trump’s one-time campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty for bank fraud, tax fraud and failure to declare foreign bank accounts.

Manafort could end up in jail for up to 10 years, but Cohen’s guilty plea, which could earn him up to five years in jail, is seen the more damaging for Trump as it directly implicates the President.

As President, Trump cannot be indicted or criminally charged. But he could be charged when he leaves office. Trump attacked Cohen and defended Manafort. He said the violations Cohen pleaded guilty to were “not a crime”.he said he felt “very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family.”