What Do Indictments Mean for Russia Investigation Going Forward?

CHARLOTTE, NC – Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker says special counsel Bob Mueller is using the indictments revealed Monday to put pressure on Paul Manafort.

“Mueller’s just trying to get to the facts. He’s trying to shake something loose here. If there’s something there to shake loose, this would do it,” he says. “For someone who’s 65 years old or older, I think, this is actually a life sentence if he were to be convicted.”

Instead, Swecker says Manafort or those around him may now be more willing to reveal what they know about possible Russian collusion.

“If he has evidence of a broader conspiracy, he has a card to play. And that is a deal could be made and he could provide evidence of a broader conspiracy in exchange for leniency,” Swecker says.

UNC Charlotte Political Science Professor Eric Heberlig says it’s still too early to know what’s out there.

“I don’t think it means a whole lot yet. If we get into higher place people, or if you get evidence that there was some type of systematic connections or systematic contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign that’s when it starts to get very serious,” he says.

“There’s no evidence at all right now of collusion, that I’ve seen. And again, given the leak environment you’d think something would have leaked out by now,” Swecker says.

He adds it’s also likely Mueller might not be able to find any Russian connection.

“If he has no further information, this is the end of it, I think,” Swecker says.