Mueller moves ahead with Papadopoulos sentencing

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team has told a court he is ready to move ahead with the sentencing of former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos. 

“The parties respectfully request that the Court refer this case for the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report,” the filing from Mueller’s team reads. 

{mosads}A pre-sentence report is used to help a judge prepare for a possible sentence, providing information on the individual’s criminal history, cooperation with authorities, as well as other details that will aid the judge’s decision.

The latest development suggests Mueller’s team is looking to kickstart the sentencing process. 

Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI last year and has cooperated with Mueller’s team, according to court filings cited by ABC News. 

He has also been free on bond since pleading guilty. 

Papadopoulos’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News. 

President Trump sought to distance himself from Papadopoulos after he pleaded guilty, describing him as a low-level volunteer. 

….came to the campaign. Few people knew the young, low level volunteer named George, who has already proven to be a liar. Check the DEMS!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017

The New York Times reported last year that Papadopoulos bragged to an Australian diplomat that the Russians had damaging information on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton before the 2016 hack of the Democratic National Committee’s emails became publicly known.

The Australian government then tipped off the FBI to what Papadopoulos said.