LIers split over where Manafort indictment could lead

<p>A special investigation has led to the indictment of President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort on conspiracy charges.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 30, 2017, 6:41 PM

Updated 2,541 days ago

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A special investigation has led to the indictment of President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort on conspiracy charges.
Manafort's protege Richard Gates also faces similar charges. And a former campaign aide, George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russian nationals during the campaign.
Long Islanders seemed split about the president's prospects, with some saying the investigation would not turn up any wrongdoing on his part – and others saying this could be the beginning of numerous indictments.
"I don't think the president has anything to worry about," says Joy Wyler, of Westbury. "I don't think he did anything wrong."
"I voted for him (President Trump), but I don't know what to believe," says Chris McGuire, of Selden.
Rep. Peter King says the corruption charges came from actions taken before the 2016 presidential campaign.
"This is all predates the campaign, has nothing to do with the campaign, nothing to do with the election, nothing to do with President Trump," King tells News 12.
But also unsealed Monday is news that Papadopoulos, a former Trump adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his interactions with Russian representatives during the campaign.
Newsday political columnist Dan Janison says that while most of the attention is on Manafort and Gates, it's actually Papadopoulos' guilty plea that could be more damaging. 
"Papadopoulos, according to the charges, has more of a link to what might be collusion," Janison says. "There is a long way to go before they can stop doing damage control and it affects the president."
There's also the possibility that more charges against Manafort and Gates could come later.