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Rick Gates, the former Trump aide convicted of conspiracy and lying to investigators, says he was offered money in exchange for not cooperating with the Mueller probe.
Who is Rick Gates?
Gates is a former political consultant and long-time partner of Paul Manafort. He served as deputy to Manafort’s campaign manager for President Trump’s 2016 campaign. Manafort and Gates were both indicted in 2017.
Prosecutors have recommended Gates be sentenced to probation per his request. The decision not to pursue prison time for the former aide was made because of the “extraordinary assistance” he gave to the government. Gates “met with investigators more than fifty times, providing truthful information to the special counsel’s office and several other prosecuting offices of the Department of Justice.”
Gates’ Cooperation
Gates chose to cooperate and testify in “high profile matters, against powerful individuals, in the midst of a particularly turbulent environment.”
He proceeded with his cooperation even though he was pressured not to and was even offered “monetary assistance” for stonewalling the probe.
“He should be commended for standing up to provide information and public testimony against individuals such as Manafort, Craig and Stone, knowing well that they enjoy support from the upper echelons of American politics and society.”
Looking back on history, who was treated worse, Alfonse Capone, legendary mob boss, killer and “Public Enemy Number One,” or Paul Manafort, political operative & Reagan/Dole darling, now serving solitary confinement - although convicted of nothing? Where is the Russian Collusion?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2018
‘Taken Care Of’
Gates was pressured by his associate Manafort to not cooperate and instead take a plea deal, Buzzfeed reports. Manafort gave assurances that the two of them would get assistance from the White House—they will “take care of us,” he claimed.
Holy crap. According to federal prosecutors, Gates was promised “monetary assistance” if he did not cooperate? By who?? That’s a lay-down-your-hand obstruction case. https://t.co/oF0VWPcDZ2
— Elie Honig (@eliehonig) December 10, 2019
Gates didn’t trust Manafort’s claim. Instead of agreeing to the bribe, he chose to cooperate and give more than 500 hours’ worth of testimony.