Former FBI Director James Comey thinks special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 election could be "in the fourth quarter."
In an interview with St. Louis Pubic Radio, Comey said former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort’s plea deal may be a signal the probe is wrapping up.
The remarks begin at the 7:50-minute mark.
"[There is] an argument to be made that the conviction – the plea and cooperation by Paul Manafort – may represent that we're in the fourth quarter," Comey said.
"The way you normally do investigations is you work from the bottom up, and so they're getting pretty high," Comey added. "But again, the reason I'm hesitant to even say that is [because] Bob Mueller's conducted his investigation like a pro – you know nothing about it except through his public filings, and that's the way it's supposed to be. And so I can't say with certainty where he is."
Fired as FBI chief May 9, 2017, Comey oversaw the first 10 months of the FBI's collusion investigation.
Manafort pleaded guilty Sept. 14 to conspiracy charges related to his work for the Ukrainian government several years before joining the Trump campaign. As part of the plea deal, Manafort agreed to cooperate with the special counsel's office.
It is still unclear whether Manafort is providing information about the Trump campaign or other matters.
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