Former Trump campaign aide pleads guilty in Russia probe

[rooster59]

Former Trump campaign aide pleads guilty in Russia probe

By Sarah N. Lynch and Karen Freifeld

 

FILE PHOTO: Rick Gates, former campaign aide to U.S. President Donald Trump, departs after a bond hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., December 11, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former senior official in Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Rick Gates, pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy against the United States and lying to investigators, and he is cooperating with a federal probe into Russia's role in the election.

 

Gates, who was a deputy campaign manager for Trump, is being investigated by the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which is probing alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election.

 

Gates had been potentially facing decades in prison on much more serious charges, including bank fraud and conspiracy to launder money. Under the charges he pleaded guilty to, he faces a maximum sentence of nearly six years.

 

Prosecutors said they could ask the judge for a reduction in Gates' sentence based on the extent of his cooperation with Mueller's probe.

 

The plea increases pressure on Paul Manafort, who was Trump's campaign manager for five months in 2016, to also seek a plea deal. However, Manafort said in a statement issued after Gates' plea deal that he maintained his innocence.

 

Cooperation by Gates, and potentially by Manafort at a later stage, could provide a rich vein of information for Mueller, whose Russia probe includes looking into whether Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to interfere in the election.

 

Gates' plea deal appeared to be partially motivated by his concern over legal costs and the strain on his family.

 

Prosecutors allege that Manafort, with Gates' assistance, laundered more than $30 million and duped banks into lending money. It says the pair used funds from secret offshore accounts to enjoy a life of luxury.

 

None of the charges to date against Gates or Manafort have made reference to any connection with Russian meddling in the 2016 election or possible collusion. Russia has denied the accusations of interference. Trump has said there was no collusion, and has also denied any attempt to obstruct Mueller's probe.

 

Mueller, appointed by the Department of Justice last year, has a broad brief that allows him to look into any wrongdoing uncovered in the course of his investigation.

 

CAMPAIGN ROLE

 

While it was not clear what Gates might be able to reveal to investigators, he was on Trump’s campaign team when his then-boss Manafort attended a meeting in June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York between senior campaign aides and a Russian lawyer.

 

Mueller, according to sources familiar with the investigation, has taken a keen interest in whether Democrats' emails allegedly hacked by Russian intelligence and made public six days after that meeting were discussed then.

 

Gates helped run the campaign's day-to-day operations, played a key role at the Republican National Convention where Trump was chosen as the party's nominee and accompanied Trump on campaign flights.

 

He stayed on in the campaign even after Manafort resigned in August 2016 amid a controversy over cash payments from Ukraine.

 

After Trump's election win, Gates was on Trump's presidential transition team and his inaugural committee.

 

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow sought to meddle in the campaign to tilt the vote in favor of Trump, including by hacking the emails of leading Democrats and distributing disinformation and propaganda online.

 

Gates and Manafort were first charged in October. On Thursday, Mueller piled up more pressure on the pair - filing a 32-count indictment against them that includes charges of bank fraud and lying on tax returns.

 

As part of the conspiracy charge, prosecutors say that Gates and Manafort lied to the Justice Department in September 2016, when they were asked whether they had acted as foreign agents in 2013 on behalf of Ukraine’s pro-Russian government.

 

THE "HAPSBURG GROUP"

 

A superseding indictment returned on Friday against Manafort from a Washington, D.C., grand jury contained additional details about their political work in Ukraine, including allegations that Manafort secretly retained a group of former European politicians known as the "Hapsburg group" to lobby for the government.

 

The indictment did not name the former politicians, but said that in 2012 and 2013 Manafort paid them 2 million euros through offshore accounts. The group was managed by a former European chancellor, which the indictment identifies as "Foreign Politician A," in coordination with Manafort.

 

The majority of the charges in the new indictment are the same as the ones filed against Manafort in October.

 

In the plea deal, Gates agreed that he lied to the investigators on Mueller’s team on Feb. 1, about a 2013 meeting between Manafort, a senior lobbyist and an unnamed member of Congress who sits on a congressional subcommittee with jurisdiction over Ukraine.

 

Gates’ plea may push Manafort to try to reach his own plea deal and cooperate with the probe, despite his protestations to the contrary, said Michael Padula, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice.

 

“His ability to negotiate a deal that is favorable to him at this point given that his codefendant has already made a deal with the government will depend on what he can potentially offer the special counsel regarding their investigation into Russia collusion,” Padula said.

 

The White House said on Friday that the latest charges against Manafort and Gates were unrelated to Trump.

 

"This indictment has nothing to do with the White House or the president. As you know, we have been cooperative with the special counsel and as we continue to see, there's no evidence of collusion, no evidence of wrongdoing," Mercedes Schlapp, the White House strategic communications director, told Fox News Channel.

 

A court filing on Friday charged that between 2008 and 2017, Gates and Manafort devised a scheme to defraud the United States to obtain money and property by making false representations to banks and other financial institutions. Toward the end of that period they worked for Trump's campaign.

 

In March 2016, Manafort fraudulently obtained a loan for over $3 million on a Manhattan condominium, prosecutors say.

 

In a letter to relatives and close friends that was obtained by ABC News, Gates expressed concern that a long trial would take a heavy toll.

 

"The reality of how long this legal process will likely take, the cost, and the circus-like atmosphere of an anticipated trial are too much. I will better serve my family moving forward by exiting this process," he wrote.

 

Gates, who has a young family and who has been under house arrest, has been peppering the court since last year with requests to travel, coach his children’s sports teams and attend school functions.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-24

[mtls2005]

Manafort's slowly turning over the Mueller rotisserie.

 

And now he's got Putin's crew, with their exotic mix of polonium cocktails, on his a$$.

 

His only out is an immediate pre-trial pardon covering all his illegal activities from what, 1980 until 2018? But maybe Trump doesn't want to expend what little political capital he has left on that pardon?

 

 

[boomerangutang]

Folks outside of Mueller's team, following this stuff, think Gates and Manafort are the big fish.  They're not.  Mueller is working from the outside.  The whole fish is rotten (to use the Mooch's analogy), and Miller is working up to the rotten head, ....but he's barely past the tail.  

 

There are lots bigger fish getting body slammed in upcoming months.

[selftaopath]

I believe those who have not known/realized the entire "Trump" empire is a criminal organization are sorely misguided. He is a fake official and only living in the WH b/c of Putin/FB/ Twitter, and naive Americans.  I would not be surprised if this fake is getting his "marching" orders vie Twitter.

 

Edited February 24, 2018 by Scott

[johnmcc6]

4 hours ago, selftaopath said:

I believe those who have not known/realized the entire "Trump" empire is a criminal organization are sorely misguided. He is a fake official and only living in the WH b/c of Putin/FB/ Twitter, and naive Americans.  I would not be surprised if this fake is getting his "marching" orders vie Twitter.

 

I would be embarrassed to make a silly post like this.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, johnmcc6 said:

I would be embarrassed to make a silly post like this.

It's a tad over the top but considering "trump" as anything resembling a normal president is even more out there. 

[johnmcc6]

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Manafort's slowly turning over the Mueller rotisserie.

 

And now he's got Putin's crew, with their exotic mix of polonium cocktails, on his a$$.

 

His only out is an immediate pre-trial pardon covering all his illegal activities from what, 1980 until 2018? But maybe Trump doesn't want to expend what little political capital he has left on that pardon?

 

 

All his so called success is an illusion. Pointless to nail Russians who will never face court. All the other charges he has made took place well before Trump even announced he was running. The only real news is the democrats in their own emails admitted to going after Sanders and Trump with a fake dossier and  Supplying questions to Hillary during the debates. Oh..and collusion is not a crime.

[mtls2005]

15 minutes ago, johnmcc6 said:

All the other charges he has made took place well before Trump even announced he was running.

 

Maybe you should read the indictment(s)?

 

Charges are for crimes committed through February 1, 2018.

 

But I do admire your attempt to turn this back on the Dems. Your 'whataboutism' is exemplary. 

Edited February 24, 2018 by mtls2005

[William T]

Once again Trump shows his lack of judgement by using a bunch of crooks in his election team. And how many of his appointments have been fired or resigned.

[johnmcc6]

15 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Maybe you should read the indictment(s)?

 

Charges are for crimes committed through February 1, 2018.

 

But I do admire your attempt to turn this back on the Dems. Your 'whataboutism' is exemplary. 

The case has nothing to with Trump. It has to do with Manafort and mate doing dirty deals for cash. Unlike the dirty deals from Hillary's mob with fake dossiers, collusion to take down Sanders. Collusion with the heads of the F B I. Leaking of debate questions. The list goes on. But I won't waste any more time trying to put unpalatable facts in front of those dyed in the wool Trump haters.

[johnmcc6]

1 minute ago, johnmcc6 said:

The case has nothing to with Trump. It has to do with Manafort and mate doing dirty deals for cash. Unlike the dirty deals from Hillary's mob with fake dossiers, collusion to take down Sanders. Collusion with the heads of the F B I. Leaking of debate questions. The list goes on. But I won't waste any more time trying to put unpalatable facts in front of those dyed in the wool Trump haters.

And by the way, the only thing the Russians accomplished was...DA DA! To get clowns like Micheal Moore to have anti Trump rallies.

[dick dasterdly]

The headline is "former trump aide pleads guilty in russia probe", and as far as I can make out he's pleaded guilty to "conspiracy against the United States and lying to investigators, and he is cooperating with a federal probe into Russia's role in the election"

 

Which makes no sense as it is juxtaposed with "None of the charges to date against Gates or Manafort have made reference to any connection with Russian meddling in the 2016 election or possible collusion."

 

I'm obviously missing something here.

 "

[mtls2005]

Manafort was Trump's campaign manager, between Lewandowski and Conway. Kellyanne said Manafort and Gates were part of the "core four".

 

Gates stayed on through the transition.

 

Of course these charges have something to do with Trump; we just don't know what exactly. Yet.

 

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

1 minute ago, dick dasterdly said:

I'm obviously missing something here.

 "

 

Yes, you are.

[johnmcc6]

6 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Manafort's slowly turning over the Mueller rotisserie.

 

And now he's got Putin's crew, with their exotic mix of polonium cocktails, on his a$$.

 

His only out is an immediate pre-trial pardon covering all his illegal activities from what, 1980 until 2018? But maybe Trump doesn't want to expend what little political capital he has left on that pardon?

 

 

 

Mueller nothing burger...

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/blogs/tim-blair/yevgeniys-mikhails-sergeys-irinas-and-vladimirs/news-story/01babd7688570698970fbfcb7a93d6dc

[Andaman Al]

4 minutes ago, johnmcc6 said:

 

Mueller nothing burger...

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/blogs/tim-blair/yevgeniys-mikhails-sergeys-irinas-and-vladimirs/news-story/01babd7688570698970fbfcb7a93d6dc

Are we supposed to believe any of your trash paper article when the second paragraph says:

 

Quote

And they spent a colossal $100,000 or so posting stuff online, a figure that, as Republican Roy Blunt pointed out last year, amounts to only around “five one thousandths of one per cent” of the $81 million spent on social media by the Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton campaigns.

Both Republican Blunt and the Journalist need to go and do some extra math lessons. What credibility does anything else have that they write?  - None. 

[johnmcc6]

5 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

Are we supposed to believe any of your trash paper article when the second paragraph says:

 

Both Republican Blunt and the Journalist need to go and do some extra math lessons. What credibility does anything else have that they write?  - None. 

An your point is??? Don't bother. I don't really care.

[Andaman Al]

1 minute ago, johnmcc6 said:

An your point is??? Don't bother. I don't really care.

The point is it is rubbish, what you are saying and the article you are quoting is rubbish. And we know (and you know), you spout off rubbish and "you don't really care". Spoken like a true Trump supporter, keep on going you are keeping the popcorn industry alive and well.

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, dick dasterdly said:

The headline is "former trump aide pleads guilty in russia probe", and as far as I can make out he's pleaded guilty to "conspiracy against the United States and lying to investigators, and he is cooperating with a federal probe into Russia's role in the election"

 

Which makes no sense as it is juxtaposed with "None of the charges to date against Gates or Manafort have made reference to any connection with Russian meddling in the 2016 election or possible collusion."

 

I'm obviously missing something here.

 "

 

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Yes, you are.

An explanation of what I'm missing would be appreciated - rather than a simple put-down.

[Jingthing]

53 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

 

An explanation of what I'm missing would be appreciated - rather than a simple put-down.

This might help you out --

 

 

[F4UCorsair]

The headline is "former trump aide pleads guilty in russia probe", and as far as I can make out he's pleaded guilty to "conspiracy against the United States and lying to investigators, and he is cooperating with a federal probe into Russia's role in the election"
 
Which makes no sense as it is juxtaposed with "None of the charges to date against Gates or Manafort have made reference to any connection with Russian meddling in the 2016 election or possible collusion."
 
I'm obviously missing something here.
 "

Yep, you are missing something, but it's only the mainly left press trying to make a connection where there isn't one, sensationalist bs reporting.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[dick dasterdly]

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This might help you out --

 

 

Entirely pointless and irrelevant to my post. 

 

Although it does follow  the same path as mtls2005's pointless post .

Edited February 24, 2018 by dick dasterdly

[malibukid]

the noose is tightening. goodbye Donny

[boomerangutang]

3 hours ago, johnmcc6 said:

The case has nothing to with Trump. It has to do with Manafort and mate doing dirty deals for cash. Unlike the dirty deals from Hillary's mob with fake dossiers, collusion to take down Sanders. Collusion with the heads of the F B I. Leaking of debate questions. The list goes on. But I won't waste any more time trying to put unpalatable facts in front of those dyed in the wool Trump haters.

You don't understand how a savvy investigator does his job.  It's like busting a Mafia den in a big city.  You start with the little guys, and compel them to rat on each other - all the time working your way up the pyramid.  If the Trumps, Kushners and the rest of the law-breaking creeps in the Oval Office understand that, ....they should be quaking in their boots, and staying wide-eyed awake in their beds at night, troubled to the core.  Even with presidential pardons, many of the law-breakers will do hard time, and so they should.

 

2 hours ago, johnmcc6 said:

And by the way, the only thing the Russians accomplished was...DA DA! To get clowns like Micheal Moore to have anti Trump rallies.

Wrong. The Russian accomplished 3 of their primary goals:

>>>   get Putin-loving boot lickers in top spots in the US

>>>   debilitate the US.  Note, lots of money went back and forth between Russian agents and the NRA.  Have you read recent news?  It's paying dividends for the Russians:  the more torn the US fabric, the better for Russia.  Also, Russian bots deepened rifts between blacks and whites.  

>>>  Getting the anti-American Trumps into the WH accomplished way more than the Russians could have hoped for.  Now, most Republican congresspeople are either standing alongside Trump, hailing Putin - or on the sidelines dumbfounded with their hands in their pockets with their shorts down around their ankles.

[Jingthing]

14 minutes ago, malibukid said:

the nose is tightening. goodbye Donny

The swamp that needs draining is really, really close to Mr. "trump." The question now is if it includes him. I would be surprised if he can't be linked to Russian oligarch money laundering and similar financial crimes. The explicit campaign collusion is just not known as yet but Mueller is making great progress to uncover the facts. 

[boomerangutang]

Manafort must be holding out for a pre-trial prez pardon.  That's the only thing that could explain why he's hanging tough in the face of an avalanche of evidence against him.  He must know that some of the charges against him are on state level, so a prez pardon doesn't have jurisdiction there.  I sure wouldn't want to be in his shoes, not for 20 billion dollars in a numbered Cypress bank account.  I'm poor, but I have the freedom to go hiking in nature.  Manafort and Trump have billions, but they're miserable.   Look at how they walk,  it's as though they have 50 lb lodestones hanging from their necks, bending their bodies downward, flattening their lungs.

[Benmart]

9 hours ago, selftaopath said:

I believe those who have not known/realized the entire "Trump" empire is a criminal organization are sorely misguided. He is a fake official and only living in the WH b/c of Putin/FB/ Twitter, and naive Americans.  I would not be surprised if this fake is getting his "marching" orders vie Twitter.

 

Thank goodness you are not in any position of power, such as a judge, jury or executioner. Lots of connlusions based on personal knowledge?

 

Or were you at any of the meetings? Are you privy to any official documents related to this investigation?

 

Or are you just an ordinary "Jackass" (See how easy it turns on one when used against another) mouthing something you've read or heard and regarding it as accurate and true?

[boomerangutang]

27 minutes ago, Benmart said:

Thank goodness you are not in any position of power, such as a judge, jury or executioner. Lots of connlusions based on personal knowledge?

Or were you at any of the meetings? Are you privy to any official documents related to this investigation?

Or are you just an ordinary "Jackass" (See how easy it turns on one when used against another) mouthing something you've read or heard and regarding it as accurate and true?

You're responding to selftaopath, but I'll jump in.....

 

I have been at some of the meetings, as much as is possible via TV coverage, and following transcripts and many commentaries on media.  There is a reason why many of the top criminals are not answering questions posed by congresspeople.  If Reps didn't control congressional committees, those evasive buttplugs would be slapped with 'Contempt of Congress' charges (yes, there is such a thing).   Sessions, Don Jr, Hicks, Kushner, Cohen, Bannon and others in Trump's cabal aren't answering questions and/or are lying because they're hiding things.  Some of those things we've found out, even before Mueller's findings get published.  For example; Sessions has lied several times to congress, under oath. 

 

When Trump says he would gladly testify to Mueller's team, he's actually indicating he's scared shitless.  If he ever does get forced to, he will take the 5th.  Trump is the poster boy for the 5th.  In one (of 3000+) trial in NYC, he invoked the fifth 99 times in one day.  He's more cowardly than the armed security guard in FL who hid while the shooter was killing kids.

Trump will no more willingly testify than he will show his tax returns, ....which he has said numerous times, "I would love to release my taxes, believe me."

 

 

 

 

[Scott]

Troll post and reply removed.  

[ilostmypassword]

13 hours ago, Benmart said:

Thank goodness you are not in any position of power, such as a judge, jury or executioner. Lots of connlusions based on personal knowledge?

 

Or were you at any of the meetings? Are you privy to any official documents related to this investigation?

 

Or are you just an ordinary "Jackass" (See how easy it turns on one when used against another) mouthing something you've read or heard and regarding it as accurate and true?

So, if calling someone guilty on the basis of inadequate knowledge means someone is a "jackass" then what does that make a candidate who leads chants of "Lock her up"?