The deputy of Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort has admitted to criminal activity while working for the political operative and told a court he helped him file false returns. On the fifth day of the trial of Mr Manafort, who has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of bank and tax fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts, prosecutors introduced the man they believe could be their star witness - the defendant’s 46-year-old right hand man and deputy, Rick Gates. Mr Gates told the court he was appearing as part of a plea deal, having agreed to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 election.



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