All eyes on ‘right-hand man’ as Manafort trial resumes

Both Ms Laporta and fellow accountant Philip Ayliff, her predecessor who handled Mr Manafort’s tax filings at the firm KWC, testified that they had no knowledge that Manafort controlled foreign bank accounts.

Paul Manafort’s bookkeeper testified Thursday that the former Trump campaign chairman kept her in the dark about the foreign bank accounts he was using to buy millions in luxury items and personal expenses.

Manafort’s defense attorneys have signaled they will pin blame for any illegal conduct on Gates.

Tax preparer Cindy Laporta says she agreed under pressure from Manafort’s longtime deputy Rick Gates to alter a tax document for one of Manafort’s businesses to show the $900,000 loan. Mr. Gates responded by sending a forged forgiveness letter, Ms. Laporta testified.

But defense lawyers are trying to convince the jury that Manafort was consumed by his consulting business and left the particulars of his finances to professionals and, in particular, to Gates.

In response, Laporta said she was concerned that Manafort’s so-called “clients” were loaning his company funds. The source said the decision will be made after the prosecution rests its case, which could take place next week.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said after Mr Trump’s tweet: “It is clear to me he is very anxious about it and he wants to prevent it any way he can”.

In any case, Mr Sessions recused himself from the investigation in March past year and does not have the power to stop it.

The prosecution is alleging that Manafort purposely tried to inflate his reported income in statements he submitted to banks to secure loans to maintain his exorbitant lifestyle.

Phillip Ayliff said a $1.5 million loan from an entity called Pernova Holdings raised a red flag because there was no documentation. In his answer, Manafort said he had “NONE”.

Laporta also detailed multiple examples in which Manafort and Gates sought to doctor financial records.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III asked Laporta about her understanding of the forgiven loan.

“Did you believe those representations?”

But Ellis reminded prosecutors, “The government has to prove that [Manafort] knew what the requirement was and that he deliberately violated it”.

She said, “It’s not appropriate. you can’t pick and choose”.

The proceedings ended before Manafort attorney Kevin Downing could cross-examine her.

Manafort is on trial for bank and tax fraud and federal prosecutors outlined his purchases on Wednesday to build a case about Manafort’s income.

A conviction would give momentum to Mueller’s probe, in which 32 people and three companies have been indicted or pleaded guilty.

In one email introduced as evidence, Laporta asked Gates about any foreign account disclosures.

In order for a jury to convict Manafort, Laporta’s credibility must hold up.

Joyce Vance, a law professor at the University of Alabama, explained on MSNBC Friday that Manafort may yet prove himself to be a key figure in a potential case of collusion between Russian Federation and the Trump campaign to interfere in the election.

In the first four whirlwind days of the Manafort trial, unfolding in a cellphone-free federal court here a half hour south of the White House, Robert Mueller’s special counsel team has laid out a compelling case that Manafort is a tax cheat.

Accountant former head of the electoral headquarters of Donald trump Paul Manafort made a deal with the investigation and admitted that he participated in the forgery. He said Manafort was the only business client of his who paid via worldwide wire transfer. Manafort claims that Gates embezzled millions of dollars from his political consulting business. Manafort has pleaded not guilty.

By listing it as a rental property on his tax forms, Manafort saved thousands of dollars in taxes. During this conference call, Gates allegedly said, “Income tax is too high”. He also allegedly failed to declare he had stashed some of his income in foreign bank accounts; failing to declare those foreign accounts to USA authorities is a crime. “Not sure where that leaves us”.

Other witnesses testifying this week said Manafort paid them millions from the offshore accounts tied to foreign shell companies for landscaping, expensive clothing and even a Karaoke machine. He did not make those accounts known to them, all the witnesses said.

Ayliff began his testimony on Thursday, when he said his clients attest to the accuracy of the tax returns he prepares and that his firm wasn’t responsible for checking the accuracy of information provided by clients. “A tart remark or two might be what is needed to keep a lengthy trial on track”, the court said in one case.

At the judge’s urging, the trial has gotten off to a fast start, and it seemed to only accelerate on its second day. That case involves allegations that he acted as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests and made false statements to the US government.