Prosecutors tell jury that Manafort owns a $15,000 ostrich jacket

[mystery-ak]

3 hr 9 min ago
Prosecutors tell jury that Manafort owns a $15,000 ostrich jacket

From CNN's Marshall Cohen

In opening statements Tuesday, prosecutors detailed Paul Manafort's "extravagant lifestyle," and said it was funded by "secret income" that he earned from his lobbying in Ukraine.

To demonstrate Manafort's lavish spending habits, Uzo Asonye, a prosecutor working on the case with special counsel Robert Mueller's team, pointed to specific details:

    Asonye told jurors that Manafort owned several homes and acquired real estate in New York and Virginia.
    Prosecutors said he bought expensive cars and watches.
    Manafort even got a $15,000 jacket "made from an ostrich," Asonye said.

Manafort is accused of filing false tax returns, failing to report foreign bank accounts, and defrauding several banks. If Manafort is convicted, these serious financial crimes could carry a total sentence of 300 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/manafort-trial/index.html

[mystery-ak]

The judge had to remind the prosecutors and jury that there is no crime in being rich

[skeeter]

So? Lots of folks own Ostrich Jackets.

[Frank Cannon]

Wow. All Stupid Bobby can muster in his debut on the big stage is a song and dance about class warfare. When people have had enough of this corruption and the guillotines roll, I want Stupid Bobby first in line.

[mystery-ak]

Mueller's team slams Manafort's lavish lifestyle, defense points to ex-colleague Gates as fraud trial begins

excerpt:
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's lavish lifestyle was front-and-center during opening arguments in his fraud trial Tuesday afternoon, as prosecutors said he lied to put his money ahead of the law, while defense attorneys -- and even the presiding judge -- reminded jurors that exorbitant wealth, in itself, is not a crime.


more
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/31/muellers-team-slams-manaforts-lavish-lifestyle-in-trials-opening-statements-as-defense-says-wealth-is-no-crime.html

[Bigun]

Wow. All Stupid Bobby can muster in his debut on the big stage is a song and dance about class warfare. When people have had enough of this corruption and the guillotines roll, I want Stupid Bobby first in line.

He can stand in line until the ones running him are dealt with!

[Frank Cannon]

He can stand in line until the ones running him are dealt with!

That's a fair compromise. I'm a patient man.

[Right_in_Virginia]

The judge had to remind the prosecutors and jury that there is no crime in being rich

Judge Ellis doesn't fool around ....

Paul Manafort trial: Judge T.S. Ellis III known as taskmaster, unafraid to speak his mind
USA Today, Jul 31, 2018

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/07/31/manafort-trial-judge-ts-ellis/816130002/

[truth_seeker]

To the jury any white man with money is already guilty by virtue of identity politics.

[Wingnut]

T.S. Ellis?

What does the T.S. stand for?

Terribly Sexy. Or did he used to be Terribly Shy, and he changed?

[DB]

After the Marc Rich pardon I thought tax evasion by the super wealthy politically connected was a-okay?

[Cyber Liberty]

Judge Ellis doesn't fool around ....

I see USA Today saw fit in that article to put in this...

“You don’t really care about Mr. Manafort’s bank fraud," Ellis said, referring to the barrage of criminal charges leveled against the former Republican political operative. “What you really care about is what information Mr. Manafort could give you that would reflect on Mr. Trump or lead to his prosecution or impeachment. …The vernacular is to 'sing.'"

...while completely omitting what he said next about the tendency for such witness to "compose."

So far, Ellis has shown a willingness to use sharp language during arguments, then sheepishly knuckle under to whatever Mueller's team wants.  That's talking loudly and carrying a small stick.  Reminds me of Trey Gowdy.