“This case is about trust because it’s about Mr. Manafort placing his trust in the wrong person,” Mr. Zehnle said, referring to Mr. Gates. Mr. Gates is scheduled to testify against Mr. Manafort in what is likely to be one of the trial’s most dramatic moments. When that spigot of funds dried up, they claim, Mr. Manafort resorted to bank fraud to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Mr. Manafort has maintained his innocence and has shown no public inclination to seek or agree to a plea deal. Mr. Trump has repeatedly suggested that he is surprised at how harshly Mr. Manafort has been treated.

Source: New York Times July 31, 2018 17:10 UTC