Judge in Paul Manafort bank and tax fraud trial 'optimistic that case might end soon'

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The trial case against Paul Manafort over money laundering and tax evasion has entered jury deliberations. Kevin Johnson reports from Alexandria, Va.
USA TODAY

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal court jury resumed deliberations Friday in the financial fraud trial of Paul Manafort, while the judge overseeing the case against the former Trump campaign chairman said he was “optimistic that the case might end soon.”

Jurors deliberated for more than six hours Thursday and recessed after submitting four questions to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, including a request for a redefinition of “reasonable doubt.”

The panel must determine guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict Manafort on the 18 counts of tax and bank fraud lodged against him.

Ellis also said he would hear a challenge later today to an earlier ruling to seal the contents of a bench conference that delayed the case for hours last week.

More: Manafort trial: Jury asks judge to redefine ‘reasonable doubt’ during first day of deliberations

More: Manafort trial: Why ‘reasonable doubt’ is hard to define in courtrooms

The reason for the delay has not been revealed, and the judge said Friday that he would likely keep last week’s matter sealed until the end of the case, saying that the disclosure would be “disruptive” to the ongoing case.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys have huddled privately numerous times throughout the trial, and only rarely have the contents of those meetings been disclosed. Ellis, however, said Friday that all sealed proceedings would be made public at the conclusion of the case.

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This courtroom sketch depicts Rick Gates, right, answering questions by prosecutor Greg Andres as he testifies in the trial of Paul Manafort, seated second from left, at the Alexandria Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 6, 2018. U.S. district Judge T.S. Ellis III presides as Manafort attorney’s including Kevin Downing, left, Thomas Zehnle, third from left, listen. Dana Verkouteren, APThis courtroom sketch depicts Paul Manafort, seated right row second from right, together with his lawyers, the jury, seated left, and the U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, back center, listening to Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye, standing, during opening arguments in the trial of President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Manafort’s on tax evasion and bank fraud charges on July 31, 2018. Dana Verkouteren, AP

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Five key points that could sway the jury in Paul Manafort’s trial — and determine his fate

More: Paul Manafort trial: Judge T.S. Ellis III known as taskmaster, unafraid to speak his mind

Manafort is facing life in prison if he’s found guilty on all of the 18 counts laid against him. The harshest sentence is likely if he’s found guilty in the alleged bank fraud scheme prosecutors outlined during the trial. 

Prosecutors offered documents and witnesses who testified that Manafort lied about his income and debt while seeking bank loans and directed his associates to doctor documents. In all, prosecutors have alleged that Manafort fraudulently secured more than $20 million in bank loans.

As Trump was leaving the White House Friday and while jurors were still deliberating, the president attacked the Manafort trial and called it “very sad.” He wouldn’t discuss whether he’d consider pardoning Manafort if he was found guilty on any counts. 

“When you look at what’s going on there, I think it’s a very sad day for our country,” the president said. “He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what?  He happens to be a very good person. 

Trump added: “And I think it’s very sad what they’ve done to Paul Manafort.”

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President Donald Trump refused to say whether he would pardon Paul Manafort, calling him a “very good person” as he left the White House for New York. Trump also again called out Turkey, saying the country has been a “problem for a long time.” (Aug. 17)
AP

 

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