EX-TRUMP AIDE PLEADS GUILTY IN RUSSIA PROBE

WASHINGTON A former top adviser to President Donald Trump’s election campaign pleaded guilty Friday to federal conspiracy and falsestatements charges in the special counsel’s Russia investigation.

The plea by Rick Gates revealed he is planning to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation as it continues to probe the Trump campaign, Russian election interference and Gates’ longtime business associate, Paul Manafort.

Gates admitted to charges accusing him of conspiring against the U.S. government related to fraud and unregistered foreign lobbying as well as lying to federal authorities in a recent interview.

With his co-operation, Gates gives Mueller a witness willing to provide information on Manafort, and also someone who had access at the highest levels of the Trump campaign.