08-03-2018, 11:58 AM
Manafort's first trial sure is moving quickly; Judge Ellis is a taskmaster. The prosecution is now expected to rest its case in one week instead of three weeks.
Yesterday one of the prosecutors informed the court that the team has every intention of calling Rick Gates to the stand.
![[Image: 105026065-GettyImages-923469302.530x298....1519417053]](https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/img/editorial/2018/02/23/105026065-GettyImages-923469302.530x298.jpg?v=1519417053)
At the start of the trial, defense lawyer Thomas Zehnle shifted the blame for Manafort's alleged crimes onto Gates (pictured above), accusing him of embezzling money and betraying his partner's trust.
Gates pleaded guilty in February to lying to investigators and conspiracy against the United States. He agreed as part of his plea deal to fully cooperate with the government and will testify, if called.
I don't think the defense has a very good shot at shifting the blame to Gates. So far, prosecutors have presented evidence showing many of the extravagant purchases made directly by Manafort which appear outside the means of his reported income.
Yesterday, prosecutors called Manafort's bookkeeper to the stand. She testified that she was not aware of the accounts he had in foreign banks. Prosecutors also called witnesses who worked in Manafort's organization. They seem to have liked Manafort, and they indicated that he called the shots and had tight reins on the businesses.
Today, the jury is being presented the paper trail, including tax returns.
Ref: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/02/rick-gat...utors.html
Yesterday one of the prosecutors informed the court that the team has every intention of calling Rick Gates to the stand.
At the start of the trial, defense lawyer Thomas Zehnle shifted the blame for Manafort's alleged crimes onto Gates (pictured above), accusing him of embezzling money and betraying his partner's trust.
Gates pleaded guilty in February to lying to investigators and conspiracy against the United States. He agreed as part of his plea deal to fully cooperate with the government and will testify, if called.
I don't think the defense has a very good shot at shifting the blame to Gates. So far, prosecutors have presented evidence showing many of the extravagant purchases made directly by Manafort which appear outside the means of his reported income.
Yesterday, prosecutors called Manafort's bookkeeper to the stand. She testified that she was not aware of the accounts he had in foreign banks. Prosecutors also called witnesses who worked in Manafort's organization. They seem to have liked Manafort, and they indicated that he called the shots and had tight reins on the businesses.
Today, the jury is being presented the paper trail, including tax returns.
Ref: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/02/rick-gat...utors.html