Still no collusion.
Via Fox News:
Rick Gates on Monday took the stand in the federal fraud case against his former business partner, ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, testifying that he and Manafort conspired to commit bank and tax fraud.
“Were you involved in criminal activity when you worked for Paul Manafort?” federal prosecutor Greg Andres asked the witness.
“Yes,” Gates replied.
“Did you commit a crime?” Andres asked.
“Yes,” Gates said.
Manafort, facing charges of bank and tax fraud related to his work in Ukraine, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Gates, considered a star witness against Manafort, struck a plea deal with prosecutors to cooperate in the case against his former business partner. The usually bearded Gates appeared in court clean-shaven on Monday.
During his testimony, Gates read out loud the language from his indictment charging him with conspiracy and making false statements to the government.
“Who did you conspire with?” the prosecutor asked.
“Paul Manafort,” Gates replied.
Gates testified that he and Manafort under-reported income and failed to file FBAR, or Foreign Bank Account Report, forms.
Gates said that Manafort requested “over the years” that Gates make wire transfers from foreign accounts “primarily in Cyprus,” and those funds were not reported.
Gates also testified that he lied to Manafort’s bookkeeper and accountants.
He replied “yes” when asked if he knew it was a crime not to file those reports.
His testimony is important for prosecutors: The federal judge in the trial, U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, said in court last week they “can’t prove conspiracy” in the case unless prosecutors call Gates to the stand. Ellis issued that warning after prosecutors suggested Gates might not be called to the stand after all.
During opening arguments last week, the defense team made it clear they intend to blame Gates, who handled some day-to-day business operations for Manafort, for many of the alleged reporting deficiencies Manafort is charged with.
“Rick Gates had his hand in the cookie jar and couldn’t let his boss find out,” Manafort defense attorney Thomas Zehnle said during opening arguments.