Robert Mueller’s latest aggressive move may explain why Paul Manafort’s attorneys quit on him
Three weeks ago we brought you the unusual story of Paul Manafort’s attorneys abruptly quitting on him in the middle of the Russia scandal (link). As we pointed out at the time, it’s rare and there only a small handful of reasons it ever happens. Now, thanks to the actions of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, we may have an explanation for why Manafort’s attorneys quit.
Robert Mueller is trying to pressure Paul Manafort to flip on Donald Trump by pursuing him for his own various alleged crimes. His latest tactic involves sending subpoenas to various people surrounding Manafort, including his current spokesman, and his former attorney Melissa Laurenza (link). This is an extremely rare tactic, as attorney-client privilege prohibits an attorney from providing evidence of the client’s guilt except in very specific circumstances. And those circumstances nearly always involve the attorney having evidence or involvement in the client’s ongoing crimes. But here’s the kicker.
Mueller has not subpoenaed Manafort’s other former law firm, WilmerHale, the one that famously quit on him three weeks ago. This suggests that Mueller does not suspect WilmerHale of any wronging. Considering that WilmerHale just finished dumping Manafort, it further raises the question of whether WilmerHale may have come to suspect Manafort is still committing crimes, and decided it didn’t want any part of it.
In any case, the Special Counsel’s latest move against Paul Manafort’s former attorney points to just how aggressively his office is progressing. Mueller isn’t worried about the appearance of rubbing up against attorney-client privilege, but rather he’s instead pushing forward in every way possible. If Manafort’s attorney is forced to turn over evidence that further incriminates him, then it puts even more pressure on Manafort to flip on Trump. As we’ve previously pointed out, Trump cannot pardon Manafort from state level charges that New York could bring against him based on Mueller’s investigation.
