Former Trump campaign official Richard Gates pleaded guilty on Friday in charges connected to his work with the Ukrainian government. The case against co-defendant Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign manger, is ongoing.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Trump campaign official Rick Gates pleads guilty to charges of conspiracy and false statements in Russia probe.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 23, 2018
This comes after earlier reports indicating that a plea was forthcoming. The charges against Gates stem from Special Counsel Robert Mueller‘s probe into whether the Trump campaign colluded in Russian interference in the 2016 election, but the actual allegations against him and Gates have nothing to do with those alleged ties. Rather, they’re related to activities Gates engaged in related to his work for the Ukrainian government. His associate Manafort has not been charged with making false statements, but has been charged with offenses including conspiracy, money laundering, tax fraud, and bank fraud in cases filed in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
In a statement, Manafort said he will continue to fight charges.
NEW / Paul Manafort says Rick Gates did not have the “strength to continue the battle to prove our innocence” —> pic.twitter.com/2N3sDIDaqp
— Hallie Jackson (@HallieJackson) February 23, 2018
[Screengrab via Mark Wilson and Getty Images]
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