Manafort Lived Large, But Here’s How He Could Beat the Rap
- Defense lawyers will hammer at Gates, emphasize complexity
- Jury will hear closing arguments from Mueller, Manafort
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Jurors at Paul Manafort’s trial heard of his appetite for luxury – the ostrich jacket, the Hamptons estate, and the New York Yankees seats near the dugout. They saw extensive documentation of false statements that prosecutors say prove he engaged in bank and tax fraud. Given this damning portrait of Manafort, how will his lawyers convince jurors that he’s not guilty?
In closing arguments on Wednesday, they’ll reinforce the counter-narrative they’ve set up on cross-examination by blaming his former right-hand man, Rick Gates, and claim the law is so complex that he had no intent to commit a crime. It may go like this: