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Trump-Russia: Ex-campaign aide Rick Gates pleads guilty Trump-Russia: Ex-campaign aide Rick Gates pleads guilty
(35 minutes later)
US President Donald Trump's former deputy campaign manager has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and lying to investigators.US President Donald Trump's former deputy campaign manager has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and lying to investigators.
The plea deal indicates Rick Gates may co-operate with special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into alleged Russian political meddling in the US.The plea deal indicates Rick Gates may co-operate with special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into alleged Russian political meddling in the US.
Mr Gates, 45, had been facing more serious criminal counts, including bank fraud and money laundering.Mr Gates, 45, had been facing more serious criminal counts, including bank fraud and money laundering.
He and ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort faced new charges on Thursday.He and ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort faced new charges on Thursday.
There are no criminal allegations that either man colluded with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, which is the main thrust of the Department of Justice investigation.There are no criminal allegations that either man colluded with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, which is the main thrust of the Department of Justice investigation.
Sentencing guidelines for Mr Gates suggested a prison term of between 57 and 71 months. What has Gates admitted?
As part of Friday's plea, Mr Gates admitted to lying to the FBI about a March 2013 meeting in Washington with a US lawmaker in which the topic of Ukraine was discussed while Mr Manafort was present.
When asked by the FBI, Mr Gates claimed that Ukraine was not discussed, and that he was not preparing a report for Ukraine's leadership, according to the indictment.
Sentencing guidelines for him suggest a prison term of between 57 and 71 months.
Mr Mueller may consider petitioning the court for a reduced sentence if Mr Gates co-operates, reports Reuters news agency.Mr Mueller may consider petitioning the court for a reduced sentence if Mr Gates co-operates, reports Reuters news agency.
What do Gates and Manafort say?
Mr Manafort said in a statement: "Notwithstanding that Rick Gates pled today, I continue to maintain my innocence.Mr Manafort said in a statement: "Notwithstanding that Rick Gates pled today, I continue to maintain my innocence.
"I had hoped and expected my business colleague would have had the strength to continue the battle to prove our innocence."I had hoped and expected my business colleague would have had the strength to continue the battle to prove our innocence.
"For reasons yet to surface he chose to do otherwise."For reasons yet to surface he chose to do otherwise.
"This does not alter my commitment to defend myself against the untrue piled up charges contained in the indictments against me.""This does not alter my commitment to defend myself against the untrue piled up charges contained in the indictments against me."
In a letter to family and friends, Mr Gates said he had "had a change of heart" after his initial not-guilty plea, according to US media.In a letter to family and friends, Mr Gates said he had "had a change of heart" after his initial not-guilty plea, according to US media.
He reportedly said he was ready to accept "public humiliation" to avoid inflicting prolonged pain on his children.He reportedly said he was ready to accept "public humiliation" to avoid inflicting prolonged pain on his children.
"The reality of how long this legal process will likely take, the cost, and the circus-like atmosphere of an anticipated trial are too much," he reportedly wrote."The reality of how long this legal process will likely take, the cost, and the circus-like atmosphere of an anticipated trial are too much," he reportedly wrote.
"I will better serve my family moving forward by exiting this process.""I will better serve my family moving forward by exiting this process."
What were the charges?
Mr Mueller's team alleged in a 32-count indictment on Thursday that Mr Gates and Mr Manafort concealed more than $30m of income from US tax authorities.Mr Mueller's team alleged in a 32-count indictment on Thursday that Mr Gates and Mr Manafort concealed more than $30m of income from US tax authorities.
Mr Gates was accused of hiding more than $3m of income and using the cash to pay for his mortgage, children's tuition and re-decorating his Virginia home.Mr Gates was accused of hiding more than $3m of income and using the cash to pay for his mortgage, children's tuition and re-decorating his Virginia home.
Both men pleaded not guilty in October when they were both first indicted by the Department of Justice on charges of laundering $75m through an offshore account.Both men pleaded not guilty in October when they were both first indicted by the Department of Justice on charges of laundering $75m through an offshore account.
They were also accused of illegally lobbying for a foreign government, Ukraine, without first registering in that capacity with the US government.They were also accused of illegally lobbying for a foreign government, Ukraine, without first registering in that capacity with the US government.