Paul Manafort trial Day 6: Gates admits affair, says he used Manafort’s money for trystsWashington Post, Aug 7, 2018
5:27 p.m.: Judge questions how closely Manafort watches moneyJust before the jury left for the day, Rick Gates echoed other prosecution witnesses in saying Paul Manafort kept a close eye on his financial affairs.
“Mr. Manafort in my opinion kept fairly frequent updates,†Gates said, after a discussion of movement between their consulting firm’s offshore accounts. “Mr. Manafort was very good at knowing where the money was and where it was going.â€
Judge Ellis, as he has repeatedly, interjected.
“He didn’t know about the money you were stealing,†Ellis said, “so he didn’t do it that closely.â€The comment by the judge goes to a question at the heart of the trial — how much fraud could possibly have gone on under Manafort’s nose without his knowledge.
Downing also challenged Gates on his acceptance of responsibility, pointing out that he has not repaid the money he stole from Manafort.
“I spent it over the years,†Gates said.
5:17 p.m.: In tense cross-examination, Gates says Manafort has yet to face his crimesIn one of the most tense exchanges yet during his cross examination, Rick Gates compared his situation directly with that of his former business partner, suggesting that he had taken responsibility for his actions, while Manafort chose to fight at trial.
The comment came in the midst of a heated exchange with defense attorney Kevin Downing. Downing had just finished questioning Gates about what seemed to be foreign money that was not reported. Downing suggested that was because Manafort’s accounting firm advised that it need not be reported, though Gates fired back that it was because the firm did not have complete information.
“At Mr. Manafort’s request, he asked me not to disclose the other foreign bank accounts,†Gates said.
Downing then asked Gates about the records he had to support his assertions about Manafort. Gates responded, “a lot of our communication occurred verbally,†though he asserted that there as a “strong record†to support his account of conversations the two men had. Downing continued to spar with Gates, and questioned whether the jury could believe what he was saying.
“After all the lies you’ve told and fraud you’ve committed, you expect this jury to believe you?†Downing asked.
“Yes,†Gates responded flatly.
The acceptance of responsibility was a notable moment, though on the witness stand, Gates has, at times, not fully embraced the wrongdoing he has previously admitted to. In an earlier confrontation with Downing, for example. Gates initially declined to use the word “embezzlement†to describe his taking Manafort’s money.
“It is an unauthorized transaction,†he said at one point.
“Why can’t you say embezzlement?†Downing countered.
“It was embezzlement from Mr. Manafort,†Gates finally conceded.
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