Posted on 08/06/2018 2:15:35 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Rick Gates took the stand in former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s trial on Monday, where he testified that the two men committed crimes while working together.
Gates, a longtime business associate of Manafort's, was indicted on fraud charges in October, but later pleaded guilty to reduced charges as part of a plea deal.
According to multiple news outlets, Gates was asked on Monday if he was involved in criminal activity when working with Manafort.
“Yes,” Gates reportedly responded.
“Did you commit a crime?” the prosecution asked.
“Yes,” Gates replied again.
Manafort is on trial in Virginia for various financial crimes he was charged with as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation.
The Manafort trial marks the first major court test for the Mueller investigation. The former Trump campaign chairman has pleaded not guilty to several counts of bank fraud, tax evasion and money laundering, among others, related to his work as a pro-Russia lobbyist in Ukraine.
Gates is considered the prosecution’s star witness given his deep ties to Manafort and his past work on the Trump campaign.
In the defense’s opening statements last week, lawyers sought to frame Manafort as a victim of Gates. Attorneys argued that Gates embezzled from his former associate, and that he got his “hand caught in the cookie jar.”
The prosecution argued that Manafort hid his income in overseas accounts in order to maintain a life of luxury.
In addition to Gates, the special counsel has also secured guilty pleas from former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos.
“Did you commit a crime?” the prosecution asked.
“Yes,” Gates replied again.
I am not a lawyer but did he ask if Manafort committed a crime?
Why do they even mention Trump as Manafort’s case has nothing to do with Trump. Clearly something stinks to high heaven!
Thanks.
So all the democrats get a free-ride and amnesty for a life of crime... all for helping put the squeeze on Manafort?
That’s a great deal.
The Hill is making CNN seem right wing lately.
Cross examination by the defense will be interesting. He will no doubt admit to crimes and implicate Manafort as part of his deal but he will be asked about the details and what actual evidence he has of wrongdoing. That is where these “star” prosecution witnesses get shaky, contradict themselves and lose credibility.
Establish guilt by association in media reports.
I wonder is Gates having second thoughts about pleading guilty ? LOL
Weasel Mueller is all about GET TRUMP!
The Hill is in dems pocket.
Well it’s the Hill that’s interjecting Trumps name in this article.........otherwise it’s not in the exchange of dialogue.
And yet Hildabeast is free to stagger around free.
Intent is a beautiful thing.
Actually the whole point is to retaliate against anyone who helped Trump as a warning to others.
Not that weasel Mueller would object...
If they ask me “Have you committed Crimes?”
I would say “Yes”
I would then ask “Today?”
If they said “Yes”
I would respond with the same “Yes, but how many and what they are I would not know, nor would you. Have I committed more Crimes Today than you have, I again do not know, nor do you”
Wow! Manafort is definitely guilty. someone who got immunity from those crimes said manafort of crimes.
The Hill sucks!
Gates jaywalked on his way to a meeting with Manafort.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.