Manafort trial jury hears opening arguments

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Federal prosecutors clashed with defense attorneys Tuesday over starkly differing portraits of Paul Manafort: The government asserted he built a fortune on a foundation of lies, and the former Trump campaign chairman’s lawyer said his client simply trusted the wrong person.

It was only minutes into the opening argument of Manafort attorney Thomas Zehnle before the lawyer pointed the finger at the government’s star witness and former Manafort business partner, Rick Gates, whom Zehnle described as the source of virtually all of Manafort’s trouble.

“This case is about taxes and trust,” Zehnle said of the bank and tax fraud case against his client. “This is about Mr. Manafort placing his trust in the wrong person.”

Gates pleaded guilty this year to conspiracy and lying to the FBI. As part of his deal with the government, he agreed to cooperate with investigators, and he headlines a list of 35 potential witnesses against Manafort.

During his presentation, Zehnle asked Manafort to stand, describing him as once representing the “pinnacle” of American politics.

Prosecutors presented a blistering account of Manafort’s business dealings, alleging that he used a web of deceit and secret bank accounts to acquire tens of millions in income for his consulting work in Ukraine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye said Manafort propped up a “lifestyle of extravagance” by falsifying applications for millions of dollars in loans.