Paul Manafort’s conviction earlier this week may add impetus to a legislative effort by Albany Democrats that would offer a path for state prosecutors to pursue criminal cases against persons on state crimes even if the defendant has received a presidential pardon from federal charges.

Bill sponsors stressed however that even if the former campaign chairman for President Donald Trump were to receive a pardon from his conviction on eight criminal charges, legislation to close New York’s so-called double jeopardy loophole still wouldn’t allow state prosecutors to charge him with state crimes.