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The former head of Donald Trump's election campaign has "lied" and placed himself "above the law" according to prosecutors on the first day of his criminal trial.
Paul Manafort is accused of hiding tens of millions of dollars earned in Ukraine in offshore accounts and having scammed banks for loans.
Photo: AFP
Paul Manafort tried to hide tens of millions of dollars of income in 30 foreign bank accounts in three different countries, according to prosecutors.
million. Manafort faces 18 counts of indictment, including bank fraud, and could face 30 years in prison if he is found guilty.
Former political consultant pleaded not guilty to charges
M. Manafort, who ran Trump's campaign for three months, was accused by prosecutors of using They said the money was used to finance a lifestyle of properties, cars, clothing and clothing. Other items, including a $ 21 million watch ($ 30.8 million)
. During his opening statement, a lawyer representing Mr. Manafort stated that the case involved "taxes and trust" and the "misplaced" trust of his client towards his former partner. Rick Gates.
"Gates had his hand"
"Paul did not know Rick was lining up in his pockets."
None of the charges against Mr. Manafort at trial relate to the investigation on a possible 2016 collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign
A jury of six men and six women was sworn in for trial in Alexandria, Virginia
The Accused
Before joining the Mr. Trump's team in the summer of 2016, Paul Manafort had He worked on a number of Republican presidential campaigns, including those of Gerald Ford in the mid-1970s and Ronald Reagan from 1978 to 1980. [19659006AsalobbyisthehasdevelopedareputationforrepresentingtheunrepresentableincludingformerstrongFilipinomanFerdinandMarcosaccusedoftorturingkidnappingandkillingthousandsofpeopleopponents
Mr. Manafort took office as president of the campaign Trump in May 2016 and was aiming to present a more thoughtful candidate, who contented himself with scripts rather than libbing in the campaign rallies. He was in the hot seat when Mr. Trump finally won the Republican nomination, and organized the Republican convention in July 2016.
But Mr. Manafort quickly faced allegations that he had not disclosed millions of dollars that he had received for Ukraine for his then pro-Russian president. At the same time, the Republican party changed the language in its manifesto about the conflict in Ukraine, removing anti-Russian sentiment.
million. Manafort left Mr. Trump's team in August 2016.
The allegations
More details on One expects that the work of Mr. Manafort in Ukraine and with Russian nationals emerges in the 69-year-old trial.
The court documents claim that he "generated tens of millions of dollars in income" from his work in Ukraine and "engaged in a prosecution. The charges are as follows:
- Five charges False Tax Returns
- Four Charges of Non-Reporting of Foreign Bank Accounts – Prosecutors Allege that Manafort channeled millions of dollars through Cyprus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Seychelles
- Nine counts of bank fraud or bank fraud conspiracy – He allegedly made false or misleading statements to three different banks to obtain loans
- They declare that they will present evidence alleging that a senior bank executive helped Mr. Manafort obtain $ 16 million in loans in exchange for efforts to find him positions in the countryside and in the administration
- About 5 00 pieces of evidence were submitted by the investigators. Watches and images of sumptuous homes, and up to 35 witnesses could be named
among them, former Manafort associate, Rick Gates, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and lying to investigators in February. He has since cooperated in the investigation of Mr. Manafort
The trial in Virginia is expected to last at least three weeks. Mr. Manafort denies all charges, and at one point sought to have them returned
The Context
The charges were all laid by the Special Advisor's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, led by the former head of the FBI. Robert Mueller. So far, 32 people and three companies have been indicted by Mr. Mueller.
The advocates of the special advocate, however, stated that "the government does not intend to present at trial evidence or arguments concerning collusion with the Russian government". His investigation is in progress.
million. Trump has expressed his sympathy for Mr. Manafort since the charges were laid, calling him "nice". He also distanced himself from Mr. Manafort's accusations, saying in a tweet: "Years ago, before Paul Manafort became part of the Trump campaign."
Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal attorney, said that Mr. Trump could forgive Mr. Manafort when he was to be found guilty. "He has the right to consider it," Giuliani told Reuters. "It's his power."
Unlike his former colleague Rick Gates, Mr. Manafort did not cooperate with the special advocate's investigation.
At a previous hearing, a federal judge criticized Mr. Mueller's team and accused him of using Manafort
"You do not really care about Mr. Manafort's banking fraud, "said Judge TS Ellis. "What really interests you is what Mr. Manafort could give you to think about Mr. Trump or lead to his prosecution or removal."
million. Manafort faces a second trial in September for its lobbying activities in Ukraine. He also faces an allegation of witness tampering.
On the eve of Tuesday's case, Mr. Manafort abandoned his attempt to challenge Mr. Mueller in a civil court.
– BBC
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