Manafort & Chapo now ‘pen’ pals

Welcome back, Paul.

Convicted felon and ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was transferred Monday to the notorious Manhattan jail that’s home to the likes of Mexican druglord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Manafort, who hasn’t been back to the Big Apple since the days of the 2016 campaign, was moved in the early-morning hours from a cushy Pennsylvania prison to the gloomy Metropolitan Correctional Center, where he will be held while waiting to be arraigned on state mortgage fraud charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr., the source told the Daily News, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It is still unknown when Manafort’s arraignment will take place, and a spokesman for Vance declined to comment, as did an attorney for the ex-Trump campaign boss.

However, the transfer to New York signals Manafort’s court appearance is imminent.

The MCC, which is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, has been home to El Chapo since he was extradited to the U.S. in January 2017. The Mexican druglord remains at the rust-colored lockup while awaiting his June 25 sentencing.

Other infamous criminals who have been held at the downtown Manhattan jail include 1993 World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Ahmed Yousef and Ponzi scheme fraudster Bernie Madoff.

It was reported earlier this month that Manafort (photo) would be held at Rikers Island in solitary confinement during his state proceedings.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons did not return a request for comment to confirm conditions of his incarceration.

Vance charged Manafort with 16 counts of mortgage fraud and conspiracy in March.