Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By RedState (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

BREAKING. Paul Manafort’s Defense Rests Without Calling A Single Witness

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Just a short while ago, the defense for Paul Manafort announced that it was resting without calling single witness or presenting a single exhibit.

Manafort is on trial on multiple charges of fraud and felony tax evasion stemming from his under reporting income to the IRS by classifying consulting fees as loans and by lying to banks to get other loans to buy ostrich skin coats and whatever (I can’t begin to describe my disappointment when I found that the ostrich skin coats did not have feathers).

This was probably their best move. Putting Manafort on the stand was unlikely to produce any useful testimony but a lot of perjury. he government’s star witness, Rick Gates, had pleaded guilty to lying to investigators while he was trying to cut a plea bargain. On the stand he came across as a dishonest, unscrupulous douchebag…pretty much like Manafort…his dishonesty was even highlighted by the trial judge. If you’re going for reasonable doubt, showing confidence by resting could be their best play.

Right now you’d have to bet that Manafort gets convicted because that’s what federal juries do. But you wouldn’t be shocked if there were not-guilty verdicts too. The star prosecution witness essentially set himself on fire in the witness stand. The prosecution was publicly flogged by the judge which made them seem a lot like Gates (Fact Check: they are). The fact that executives at the bank knew Manafort’s loan application was pretty much fantasy and gave him the loan anyway is going to have an impact.

I see this as a lose-lose for the prosecution. If they win a tax evasion case, they are expected to. If they lose it, the entire Mueller investigation takes on more of a clown car appearance than it already has. Of course, the one with the most to lose is Manafort. He’s 69 and if convicted will get what is tantamount to a life sentence. Then the big question becomes does Trump pardon him?

The post BREAKING. Paul Manafort’s Defense Rests Without Calling A Single Witness appeared first on RedState.


Source: https://www.redstate.com/streiff/2018/08/14/breaking.-paul-manaforts-defense-rests-without-calling-single-witness


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!


Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST


Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser!  Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover -  Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.