Russian nationals tried to affect 2016 US polls, says Cohen

NEW YORK, Dec 08 (BBC): President Donald Trump's ex-lawyer has given substantial help on how Russian nationals tried to affect the 2016 election, a legal memo has revealed.

Michael Cohen's help is detailed in the memo from Robert Mueller, who is heading the probe into alleged Russian collusion with the Trump team.

The memo is mainly to guide sentencing for crimes Cohen has admitted.

A second Mueller memo sets out the case against ex-campaign chief Paul Manafort for breaching a plea bargain deal.

Cohen and Manafort are among a number of Trump aides being investigated in Special Counsel Mueller's probe.

Both have been co-operating with his team but Mr Mueller now accuses Manafort of lying.

In a separate court filing on Friday, prosecutors in New York made their case for the length of Cohen's sentence when it is delivered on Wednesday.