Collusion probe off limits in second Manafort trial, U.S. judge rules

The federal judge overseeing the second trial of Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's one-time campaign chairman, ruled on Wednesday that a federal investigation of possible collusion between the campaign and Russia cannot be discussed during the trial.

The collision investigation being led by a U.S. special counsel is "wholly irrelevant to the charges in this case," Judge Amy Berman Jackson said during a pre-trial hearing.

During the trial, Manafort will face seven counts, including conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to defraud the United States, making false statements and witness tampering.