Trial of Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort

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Jurors will start consultations in the case against Paul Manafort (the former campaign chairmen of the U.S President Donald Trump), who is on trial for financial fraud. Prosecutors informed jurors that Manafort had lied to keep himself flush with cash for his luxurious lifestyle and then lied some more to procure millions in bank loans when his income dropped off. Manafort’s attorneys informed jurors in his defense to question the entirety of the prosecution’s case as they sought to tarnish the credibility of longtime hardworking of Manafort. It capped nearly 3 weeks of testimony in the first courtroom test for special counsel Robert Mueller‘s Russia investigation. The decision is now in the hands of 12 jurors and they will provide a measure of the ability of special counsel to make charges stick.

The case doesn’t involve allegations of Russian election interference or possible coordination by the Trump campaign. Manafort also faces a second trial in Washington in the month of September, where he is accused of failing to disclose lobbying for Ukranian politicians, among other crimes. The defense also took direct aim at Rick Gates (Manafort’s long-time right-hand man) who was charged in the same indictment but pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government. Defense attorney Richard Westling pointed out that Manafort employed a team of accountants, bookkeepers and tax preparers. Prosecutor Greg Andres said in the closing arguments on Wednesday that the government’s case boils down to Manafort and his lies. Andres said as he made his final argument that when you follow the trail of Manafort’s money, it is littered with lies. The jury should find Manafort guilty of 18 criminal counts.