By Steve Neavling
Ticklethewire.com
Defense lawyers for Paul Manafort grilled the special counsel prosecutors’ star witness, Rick Gates, trying to discredit him as he testified against President Trump’s former campaign chairman.
Attorney Kevin Downing tried to make Gates look like an unreliable witness who agreed to testify for less time behind bars for crimes he admits he committed.
“You knowingly and intentionally lied?” Downing asked.
Gates answered, “Uh, yes. I provided false information tot he special counsel office prior to my plea agreement.”
Downing said Gates led a “secret life” that included an apartment in London to hide an extramarital affair.
Gates, who served as a campaign aide to President Trump, also acknowledged “it’s possible” that he submitted person expenses to the president’s inaugural committee for reimbursement. In fact, Gates worked on the president’s inauguration after Manafort quit his job as the campaign chairman.
If convicted of bank and tax fraud, Manafort could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Gates is expected to continue testifying Wednesday.
