Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort departs from U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., February 28, 2018.

New York authorities reportedly are preparing to criminally charge convicted tax cheat and bank fraudster Paul Manafort whether or not President Donald Trump pardons his ex-campaign chief.

A presidential pardon would not protect Manafort, who is awaiting sentencing for a slew of federal crimes, from state-filed criminal charges.

Trump has previously criticized special counsel Robert Mueller's cases against Manafort, whom the president has called "a brave man!" on Twitter.

Bloomberg News first reported Friday that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is ready to file tax and other charges against Manafort, including possibly ones related to laws requiring the keeping of accurate business records, in the event that Trump pardons him.