Trump aide whose Russia ties sparked probe to be sentenced

The foreign policy advisor to President Donald Trump's election campaign whose contacts with Russians set off the investigation into possible collusion with Moscow is to be sentenced on Friday.

After cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe for more than a year, George Papadopoulos faces up to six months in prison for one count of lying to investigators.

He has testified that senior members of the Trump campaign encouraged him during 2016 to build ties with Russia, including after he told them that Moscow possessed -- and could be willing to share -- dirt on Trump's election rival Hillary Clinton.

Those issues are now at the heart of Mueller's sprawling investigation, which increasingly threatens Trump's inner circle and the president himself.

Out of the 35 people and entities so far charged, Papadopoulos is one of five who have pleaded guilty and will be the second to be sentenced.

Prosecutors have recommended he be jailed for up to six months for one count of making false statements to investigators.

Papadopoulos has asked to be sentenced to probation -- and have that immediately terminated, arguing that the past 13 months he has spent cooperating with the investigation is "the equivalent of one year of probation."
"While some in the room rebuffed George's offer, Mr Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr Sessions, who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it,"