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2050d ago / 6:15 PM UTC

Gates: Manafort had 'zero' clients in 2015

Rick Gates testified that he altered DMP's books in 2015 to help Manafort meet the income threshold for a loan.

Gates told the jury that he was tasked with gathering the proper paperwork for a loan that Manafort was applying for. The loan required that Manafort's income in 2015 should be similar to what he made in 2014. The jury was shown email exchanges where Gates told Manafort that his 2015 income was "not going to be anywhere close to" what it was in 2014.

Prosecutor Greg Andres asked Gates why the income was substantially lower in 2015 than 2014. "Because he had zero clients at the time," Gates said.

The prosecution entered into evidence a doctored general ledger that showed that Manafort's firm, DMP International, made $6 million more than it actually did. Gates testified to email exchanges where Manafort suggested applying 2012 income and unpaid accrued income from 2014 to the bank application.

Gates said he edited a general ledger supplied to him from Manafort's accounting firm, adding $6 million to Manafort's 2015 income so that it could be closer to 2014. The jury was also shown an email showing that Gates had then sent the doctored ledger to the bank.

2036d ago / 9:06 PM UTC

Manafort guilty on 8 counts; mistrial declared on 10 other charges

A federal jury in Virginia convicted Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, on eight counts on Tuesday, but the judge declared a mistrial on the 10 other charges he faced.

Manafort was convicted on five counts of tax fraud, one count of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts and two counts of bank fraud. A mistrial was declared in three counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, and seven counts of bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy.

The trial was the first public test of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, and while the special counsel was vindicated, the victory wasn't total.

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2036d ago / 4:05 PM UTC

Jury sent back for further deliberations

The jury has been sent back for further deliberations by Judge Ellis at 11:55. He said, "You should not change your honest conviction soley for the purpose of other jurors or just to come to a verdict.

Judge Ellis implored them to come to consensus, and if they then could not,he would consider the necessity of a hung jury.

2036d ago / 3:34 PM UTC

Jury submits question to judge on Day 4 of deliberations

The jury began Day 4 of deliberations in the Manafort fraud trial at 9:37 a.m., and just before 11 a.m., the jury delivered a note to the judge, prompting a flurry of activity.

It was a question, not a verdict: What if we can't come to a consensus on one count? 

2038d ago / 2:13 PM UTC

Jury begins day 3 of deliberations

Judge Ellis brought the jury into the courtroom promptly at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning and called roll. Jurors were asked if they were able to stay away from news reports and other influences over the weekend, and they all answered that they had.

Deliberations resumed at 9:34 a.m.

2040d ago / 9:00 PM UTC

Jury dismissed for weekend with no verdict yet reached

Judge Ellis dismissed the jury for the weekend and told them to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Jurors were dismissed at 4:55 p.m.

2040d ago / 7:31 PM UTC

Jury note: We want to go home at 5 p.m.

The jury gave Judge Ellis a note to let him know that they'll finish deliberations for the day at 5 p.m, because one of the members of the jury has an event they'd like to attend tonight.

Court will reconvene at 4:50 p.m. After that, the jury will be asked what time they wish to report on Monday.

2040d ago / 7:28 PM UTC

Judge says he has gotten threats, won't reveal juror names

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District Court Judge T.S. Ellis, who is overseeing the bank and tax fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, said Friday that he has received threats that necessitate U.S. marshal protection to and from the courthouse.

"I had no idea that this case would excite these emotions, I will tell you that frankly," Ellis told the court as the jury deliberated for a second day. The case is being tried in Alexandria, Virginia.

Ellis's admission came during an afternoon hearing brought by a coalition of media outlets, including NBC News, to unseal juror names and bench conference transcripts of conversations the judge had with the defense and the prosecution.

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2041d ago / 2:03 PM UTC

Jury resumes deliberations, judge grants hearing to unseal documents

The jury resumed deliberations at 9:37 a.m. on Friday after being empaneled by Judge T.S. Ellis.

Judge Ellis also responded to a request from media organizations to unseal certain documents. Ellis granted the request to intervene and will schedule a hearing to hear arguments "sometime after 2 p.m."

He reiterated that all sealings in the case will be unsealed after the trial is over. It would be disruptive to unseal certain documents during the trial, he said. Nevertheless, he will consider the request.

"I'm no stranger to criticism," Ellis said. "This case has brought it to a new level."

2041d ago / 9:17 PM UTC

Jury asks 4 questions, including query about reasonable doubt

The note, delivered to Judge Ellis minutes ago, contains four questions from the jury. The judge heard argument from both sides as to the answers. 

Court is now dismissed for the day, and the jury will resume deliberations at 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Here are the questions from the jury, and the answers the judge gave. 

Question: Is one required to file an FBAR if they own less than 50% of the company and no signatory authority?

Answer: After suggestion from the prosecution, Judge Ellis reread Jury Instruction #53, which defined FBARs, and the details surrounding FBARS.

ELLIS: A person is an owner of record (Owner of FBAR) if a person is acting on behalf of a US person with access and control of the account, OR if a US person who owned more than 50% of company.

Q: Define "shelf company"?

A: Rely on collective recollection.

Q: Can you redefine reasonable doubt?

A: The government is not required to prove beyond "all possible doubt," just doubt that can be reasoned.

Q: Can the exhibit list be amended to include the indictment?

A: No.

2041d ago / 2:34 PM UTC

Jury deliberations begin

The jury of six men and six women will soon begin to decide the fate of Paul Manafort. Judge T.S. Ellis brought in the jury to call roll and laid out the ground rules for deliberation.

"You may deliberate as little or as much as you like," Judge Ellis said.

The jury requested to deliberate in their break room because the actual jury room is too small. Ellis talked about how he was involved in the layout of the courthouse when it was being built. "I didn't pay attention to the size of the jury rooms," Ellis said. "I certainly paid attention to the size of my quarters."

Ellis granted the request.

Ellis called for a five minute recess after dismissing the jury to deliberate. Ellis said that he has other matters during the day and asked if those parties were in the courtroom.

"Mr. Trump, are you here?" he asked the courtroom. The response in the crowd was a mix of laughter and shock. Manafort himself turned around to look at the crowd with a smile.

Jim Trump, an local attorney, stood up and said that his case was next on the docket.

2042d ago / 10:39 PM UTC

Jury deliberations to begin Thursday

Judge Ellis spent about almost two hours instructing the jurors on the ins and outs of the case. In particular, he reminded them that the defendant is not obligated to prove anything.

Judge Ellis told the jury to acquit Manafort "if the evidence leaves you with a reasonable doubt". He also instructed the jury to ignore any impression they might have inferred about the Department of Justice's motives or lack of motives. Jurors are not allowed to use electronic devices, Ellis said. Ellis declined to read aloud the whole list of banned devices. "Good heavens, this list is outdated. No Blackberrys," Ellis joked.

Ellis also encouraged the jurors not to talk to the media after the trial is over. "I might suggest that you have a duty of confidentiality," Ellis said, though he stressed that it is not an enforceable order. "I hope you take it seriously."

Four juror alternates were also dismissed.

Twelve main jurors will return to court at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow to start deliberations.