On the first full day of testimony in the tax- and bank-fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, jurors on Wednesday will hear from political strategists who are expected to detail Manafort’s lucrative business relationship with Russia-friendly leaders in Ukraine.
Manafort’s lawyers offered the first glimpse of his defense on Tuesday, describing their client as a globe-trotting rainmaker for his political consultancy who left the details to subordinates. The chief villain in their telling is Rick Gates, Manafort’s longtime deputy, who they say embezzled millions of dollars from the company. Gates has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government.
