While Paul Manafort struck a deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller to avoid a second trial, sources tell ABC News he is not cooperating fully as is mandated by his plea agreement.
Prosecutors from Mueller’s office have been asking Manafort about a wide range of topics in nearly a dozen meetings since Manafort agreed to cooperate in September, sources said, but the Mueller team is “not getting what they want,” said one source with knowledge of the discussions.
The consequences of failing to fully cooperate could be dire when it comes time for Manafort to be sentenced.
"Should it be judged...that the defendant has failed to cooperate fully, has intentionally given false, misleading or incomplete information or testimony...the defendant will not be released from his pleas of guilty but the Government will be released from its obligations..." his plea agreement reads.
Judge Amy Jackson itemized the potential consequence Manafort could face if he breached his agreement with the Special Counsel, a list that ranged from additional fines to extended prison time.
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Multiple sources have told ABC News the special counsel has been focusing recently in on another longtime advisor to President Trump – Republican operative Roger Stone, who has a deep history with Manafort. They are longtime friends and were once partners in a prominent Washington lobbying and consulting firm.
Sources tell ABC News Mueller has been asking Manafort questions about his time working with Stone from the mid 1980s through their time with the Trump campaign. Manafort has offered little information on those topics that would assist prosecutors, sources said.
Mueller and his team of prosecutors are in the process of writing a final report on the nearly 18-month long investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election, sources told ABC News. The timing for when a final report would be submitted by the special counsel’s office is still unclear, and sources said there is still no clear timeline for when Mueller will conclude his investigation either.
Tensions rising between Mueller, Manafort over level of cooperation: Sources (ABC News)