Thread: Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort found guilty on 8 counts in fraud trial

BREAKING
Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort found guilty on 8 counts in fraud trial


Manafort found guilty on 8 counts in tax fraud trial

• By PIERRE THOMAS,
• TRISH TURNER,
• ALLISON PECORIN,
• KATHERINE FAULDERS
• BENJAMIN SIEGEL

Aug 21, 2018, 4:52 PM ET

Yuri Gripas/Reuters,

WATCHSPECIAL REPORT: Jury reaches guilty verdict on 8 counts in Manafort trial



After nearly four days of deliberation, a jury found former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty on eight counts of financial crimes, marking the first major prosecution won by special counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of Russian meddling during the 2016 election.
Manafort was found guilty on the eight counts of the special counsel’s 18-count indictment. Each count carries a hefty prison term – when combined, he is facing a maximum of 80 years in prison, but at sentencing the total will likely be less. The federal judge declared a mistrial in the other ten counts after jurors could not reach consensus.

Special counsel Robert Mueller and his team of prosecutors secured an 18-count indictment on tax- and bank-fraud charges against Manafort in February. At trial, the special counsel rested its case after parading more than two dozen accountants and associates of Manafort over the course of two weeks, painting the longtime Republican operative as a man who shielded millions of dollars from American authorities in order to fund his lavish lifestyle.

AP
Paul Manafort departs federal court in Washington D.C., Dec. 11, 2017. Robert Mueller departs the Capitol after a closed-door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election, June 21, 2017.more +

During one of the most dramatic portions of the trial, defense attorneys representing Manafort sought to shift blame onto Manafort’s long-time business partner and Trump campaign deputy manager, Rick Gates. During his testimony, Gates admitted to stealing from Manafort and using that money to finance at least one extramarital affair.

Last Tuesday, Manafort’s attorneys rested their case, electing not to call any witnesses or mount a defense.

In closing arguments on Wednesday, prosecutors slammed Manafort as a liar and a schemer. "When you follow the trail of Mr. Manafort's money, it's littered with lies,” special counsel prosecutor Greg Andres said, telling jurors that Manafort is “not above the law.”

MORE: With closing arguments wrapped, Manafort case goes to jury

Dana Verkouteren via AP
This courtroom sketch depicts Rick Gates, right, testifying during questioning by prosecutor Greg Andres, standing at left, as Manafort's trial continues at federal court in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 7, 2018.more +

"He lied to his tax preparers, he lied to his bookkeeper, because he wanted to hide that money and avoid paying taxes," Andres added, emphasizing the mountain of documents presented to jurors – not the witnesses – as evidence of Manafort’s guilt.

Defense counsel disagreed. Attorneys Richard Westling and Kevin Downing sought to point the finger at Gates, who they say was the mastermind behind Manafort’s legal woes, making the case to jurors that prosecutors failed to meet the burden of proof in charging Manafort with all these crimes.

MORE: Manafort trial, first in Mueller investigation, gets underway

Having been found guilty, Manafort, 69, faces the possibility of serving the rest of his life in prison. Manafort will be the second figure in Mueller’s investigation to serve a prison sentence. Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in April and served a 30-day prison term.

This past Friday, President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for his former campaign chairman, who he called a “good person,” telling reporters gathered at the White House that “it’s very sad what they’ve done to Paul Manafort.”

Asked whether he will pardon Manafort, Trump declined to answer.

Manafort faces another trial brought by the special counsel next month in Washington, D.C., where Manafort has been charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and foreign lobbying violations.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jury...ry?id=57243333

2/23/18

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The worst hour of Trump's presidency

Disgusting Witch Hunt. Feel so sorry for Paul Manafort. Maybe he can appeal. I sure hope so.

Giuliani: Trump isn't considering a pardon for Paul Manafort 'at this time'

President Trump isn’t going to help Paul Manafort get out of jail

In my opinion, and it is not arguable.

None of this occurred during the campaign. and has nothing to do with Trump. It is all at least 10 years old and Mueller had to dig deep to find a crime to prosecute. But then all they have been doing is looking for a crime because they didn't have one when they started out.

Mueller ran the FBI from 2001 to 2013 and look at the people that he promoted to the top..corrupt bureaucrats that have no respect for the citizens of this country and think that THEY are really in charge. True govies, they consider the elected officials transitory while they will be there when they are gone and therefore, THEY are really running the show. It is the classic government employee attitude.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Giuliani: Trump isn't considering a pardon for Paul Manafort 'at this time'

President Trump isn’t going to help Paul Manafort get out of jail

Trump will do the right thing, whatever that is. I think Paul Manafort was a victim of a Special Counsel witch hunt, that rolled way off its rails, needed a target and used their power to conduct a malicious trial against Manafort. I think Trump sees this, understands this, and will consider what if anything he can or should do to correct this wrong. First there has to be a sentencing and the judge will decide that.

Originally Posted by Newmexican

. . . None of this occurred during the campaign. and has nothing to do with Trump.

Manafort bank fraud trial does have Trump campaign connection, Mueller's team says

It is from a 2007 case that the DOJ refused to try at the time..