Gates takes the plea. Just in time for the Friday dump.

[CincyDem]

https://apnews.com/6ebdbd65b9744284aa304bb1f0c67548?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP


Gates will plead guilty - the third to do so by someone tied directly to Trump's campaign - to a conspiracy to defraud the United States "by impeding, impairing, obstructing and defeating" the DOJ and Treasury, and a second count of lying to authorities over his work with Manafort in Ukraine by giving a "materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement" to the Special Counsel's office.

Interestingly, the plea appears silent on yesterday's bank fraud charges.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Bank Fraud will come.

State action will no doubt be down the road.

[BoneyardDem]

2. I'd considerd the idea that financial problems may be passed on to the State for prosecution n/a

[marylandblue]

3. Presumably, the other charges will be dropped if he cooperates

Until then, it all hangs over his head. Also signals generosity and limits to Manafort. Mueller will offer a deal no better than Page's but potentially much worse, unless...

[shraby]

4. The state charges are probably held back in case trump decides to pardon.

[CincyDem]

5. I think that's why manafort got his with tax evasion...

...because federal under reporting cascades into the state tax returns. Notable, Gates was charged with bank fraud but NOT tax evasion.

I think you're right. They put it on the table for Manafor but they're holding that in the bag for Gates.