WA EX: Members of special counsel Robert Mueller’s team rested their case against Paul Manafort on Monday, capping 10 days of evidence and testimony as they worked to convince a jury that Manafort concealed millions of dollars in offshore bank accounts and misled banks to secure loans.
The jury of 12 — six men and six women — heard from 27 witnesses over the span of more than two weeks. It’s unclear whether Manafort’s lawyers will call witnesses to testify, though that question will be answered Tuesday morning.
Manafort’s defense team did indicate they would file a motion for acquittal, the details of which are currently unknown.
The trial involving Manafort is the first to stem from Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, and while there was no mention of Russia and sparse reference to President Trump as prosecutors presented their case, the shadow of the probe hung over proceedings.
Manafort faces 18 counts of tax and bank fraud, and if the jury finds him guilty, it could provide momentum for Mueller’s investigation.
But if Manafort is acquitted, it would likely bolster calls from President Trump and his supporters for the special counsel’s investigation to be shut down and amplify claims the inquiry is a “witch hunt.” read more
“Manafort faces 18 counts of tax and bank fraud, and if the jury finds him guilty, it could provide momentum for Mueller’s investigation.”
The only momentum will be for the fake news outlets who have their hopes and dreams tied to an outcome that has nothing to do with Trump other than guilt by association.