Manafort’s ‘lies’ ripped in closing

Paul Manafort “lied when he had money and lied to get more money when he didn't,” prosecutors said Wednesday as they presented closing arguments in the fraud trial against President Trump's former campaign chairman.

Manafort is accused of hiding million of dollars in offshore accounts and lying to obtain loans after his income from Russian-connected Ukrainian politicians dried up.

“When you follow the trail of Mr. Manafort's money, it is littered with lies,” prosecutor Greg Andres said as he gave jurors a methodical rundown of the 18 charges along with the evidence supporting each.

The prosecution called 27 witnesses and presented 388 exhibits, including emails, loan applications and tax documents, as evidence during the 12 day trial.

Manafort's defense team called no witnesses and the 69year-old did not testify.

Instead, they sought to discredit star witness Rick Gates, Manafort's former business partner and a close Trump aide. Gates was charged along with Manafort last fall, but accepted a plea deal in February.

Andres reminded the jury that Gates pleaded guilty to crimes in a Washington federal court and will be soon be sentenced. He said the judge in that case will learn how Gates took hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort's “dumpster of foreign money.”

“Mr. Manafort is a mentor to Mr. Gates, particularly to his own criminal activity.” Andres said, according to CNN, before adding that Manafort “didn't choose a Boy Scout” to be his partner in crime.

Judge T.S. ELlis gave each side two hours to present their final arguments to the jury.

The Alexandria, Va., trial is the first stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

During the course of their investigation, prosecutors discovered the alleged years-long scheme Manafort ran in order to avoid paying taxes.

Manafort, who can appeal should he be convicted, also faces a second trial in Washington for money laundering charges.