Gates admits to stealing from Paul Manafort during testimony

Steve Birr, DCNF

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 06: Richard Gates leaves the Prettyman Federal Courthouse after a bail hearing November 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. Gates and his former business partner Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort both pleaded not guilty Monday to a 12-charge indictment that included money laundering and conspiracy. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) — Richard Gates(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort’s former business partner Rick Gates admitted in court Monday to stealing “several hundred thousand” dollars from Manafort while committing financial fraud on his behalf.

Gates, who also served as a Trump campaign aid, acknowledged a number of crimes during his testimony in Alexandria, including failing to disclose 15 foreign accounts to the federal government “at Mr. Manafort’s direction.” Gates previously interned for Manafort at the lobbying firm Black, Manafort, Stone and Kelly and continued to work for Manafort when he left the firm in 2006, reports CNN.

The testimony comes after Gates agreed in February to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller in the tax and bank fraud trial of Manafort.

Gates and Manafort operated a lucrative lobbying firm working for pro-Russian factions in Ukraine prior to campaigning on behalf of President Donald Trump.

While helping facilitate fraud for Manafort, Gates testified he submitted false expense reports paid to accounts in Cyprus in order to steal hundreds of thousands from Manafort. He also admitted to leaving information out of a lawsuit deposition at Manafort’s bidding.

Manafort’s defense counters that Gates embezzled millions from Manafort over the course of their partnership.

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