Manafort ‘banking on a pardon’ as trial begins
WASHINGTON — The first criminal trial from special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe has kicked off with Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former camping chairman, in the hot seat as prosecutors painted him as a tax evader who laundered money and swindled banks to fund a lavish lifestyle.
But experts say the fact that this case has reached jury selection and opening arguments — while others targeted by Mueller have pleaded guilty and are now cooperating in the ongoing probe of Russian interference — reveals Manafort’s strategy: stay mum and hope for a pardon from Trump.
“I think he is waiting on a pardon or is unwilling to accept reality,” said former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti, noting the strength of the prosecution’s charges, which could send Manafort to prison for the rest of his life.
Here’s what to expect in the trial, which could last weeks:
The case and the defense
During oral arguments prosecutors claimed Manafort carried out a conspiracy to hide and launder tens of millions of dollars he earned by advising pro-Russia Ukrainian officials and oligarchs. Manafort’s lawyers countered that Manafort had no intent to hide his income from federal authorities or stash money in offshore accounts.
They point to former associate Rick Gates, who has pleaded guilty to similar charges and is now cooperating in the Mueller investigation. Manafort’s lawyer said he left the financial details of his business associations to Gates, and was unaware anything was amiss. Gates will likely be called as a witness in Manafort’s trial.
Russian collusion is the elephant in the room
While the case has nothing specifically do with potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian actors seeking to interfere with the 2016 election, that aspect of Mueller’s investigation hovers closely over Manafort’s case.
The lavish lifestyle that prosecutors said Manfort lived — including purchases like a $15,000 ostrich coat and a $21,000 watch — and his financial dealings left him deeply in debt.
Prosecutors claim Manafort promised some banking officials access or jobs in Trump’s administration in exchange for favorable financial dealings.
The implication is that Manafort may have made the same promises to people with connections to Russia.
Manafort seeking a pardon or a win, but likely not a plea
That a jury has been seated and witnesses called diminishes the chances of a plea deal.
“The only way this makes sense is if Manafort is banking on a pardon, or if he thinks he can win,” said Andrew Wright, former associate counsel to President Obama. “I don’t think it looks good for him winning.”