ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The questioning of Paul Manafort’s protege during the political consultant’s financial fraud trial has turned confrontational and personal, focusing on Rick Gates’ own crimes as well as an extramarital affair and a plea agreement.
Gates faces more bruising cross-examination on Wednesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Manafort is accused of overseeing an elaborate offshore tax-evasion and bank fraud scheme, and Gates has offered a first-hand account of its workings.
In testimony Tuesday, Gates acknowledged embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort and carrying on an extramarital affair.
A Manafort lawyer has accused the government’s star witness of being immersed in “so many lies” that he can’t even remember them all.
Manafort was chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, and his longtime deputy was part of the campaign, too.