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A federal judge in Alexandria delayed the trial of Paul Manafort on charges of bank and tax fraud until July 31.
Manafort, who appeared in court on Monday for the first time since his June incarceration, was hoping to delay the trial. until he faces related charges in Washington, DC on Sept. 17.
Judge TS Ellis was not so accommodating, but he gave Manafort an extra week to review tens of thousands of documents recently handed over by prosecutors
"There are some actions and good reasons from both sides. " The trial, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, will be the first lawsuit filed by the special adviser investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 elections.
Manafort, appearing in a green suit and metal-framed glasses, renounced to appear in court. because he had been detained in a prison two hours from the courthouse of Alexandria. But Manafort is now in the city jail of Alexandria, a few blocks from the courtyard.
He was moved after his lawyers said that they were unable to prepare with their client at a prison in the Northern Neck. But defense lawyer Kevin Downing said on Monday that his team was still struggling with the huge volume of paperwork involved.
Prosecutors said the most relevant documents were financial documents of Manafort's accountant.
Manafort had a different defense team at the time. Downing said that once the accountant assigned by prosecutors, the company demanded money to return them to Manafort.
"We thought we were going to find out." Ellis replied, "It depends on how you calculate the expense," said Downing.
Downing said the defense did not receive that recently 40,000 pages of documents from the phones and computer of Richard Gates, the ex-business partner of Manafort .Gates pleaded guilty to two charges in Washington federal court and should testify against Manafort
US Attorney General Uzo Asonye said that most of these documents involved uploaded photos when Gates visited websites and was not part of the record.
"I do not I do not think, to my knowledge, that there are exculpatory images in this case, "he said.
Downing said some of the downloaded data might be relevant notes." It is incumbent upon us to examine these documents "
Ellis also approved and filed motions to compel five witnesses against Manafort to testify at trial: James Brennan, Conor O'Brien, Donna Duggan, Cindy Laporta and Dennis Raico
Ellis delayed a hearing on motions to form evidence at trial until later this afternoon.
The defense asks Ellis to prevent jurors from details of the work that Manafort did for Ukrainian politician Viktor Yanukovych, who was forced into power by demonstrations against corruption and fraud. Manafort is accused of using offshore bank accounts to hide millions of dollars that he made work for Yanukovych and his political party.
In federal district court, Manafort is accused of not registering as a foreign agent. But in the case of financial crimes in Alexandria, argue his lawyers, it is not necessary to look into the source of funds Manafort.
"The fact that Mr. Manafort performed consulting work abroad, and that he was paid for this work, is not in dispute," wrote the attorneys "The evidence concerning Yanukovych, the Party of Regions, and the work that Mr Manafort has done on their behalf presents the substantial risk that jurors will be confused by Yanukovich's controversial mandate as as president of Ukraine, his withdrawal from power amidst public protests, accusations of treason brought against him by the Ukrainian government, and his current exile in Russia. "
The special advocate has rebuffed, writing in a Sunday filing that Manafort's work done in Ukraine is relevant to both the
" The proof of the important work of Manafort for the # 39, Ukraine is needed to establish the source of Manafort's money and quantify the corresponding amount of earned income, "wrote Asonye." In addition, Yanukovych's loss of power in 2014 is very relevant to explain the decline Manafort's spectacular income in 2014 and after, which led the defendant to participate in bank fraud. "
Robert S. Mueller III, a special advocate last week published a list of nearly 500 evidence that prosecutors can show to a jury, including emails and discussion notes on strategy with and for Yanukovych.
Both parties will debate Tuesday a questionnaire that will be given to potential jurors.] Manafort would like that Ellis, the ask the jurors where they receive their news, to what extent they participated in political life and when they voted in the 2016 elections. The government is interested in the question of whether the jurors strong opinions on the Internal Revenue Service and tax laws, Mueller and Manafort itself.
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