While the government outlined the charges against him, Mr. Gates grew red, his eyes cast downward. Even after Mr. Manafort was fired by Mr. Trump in August 2016, Mr. Gates remained on in a different role, as a liaison between the campaign and the Republican National Committee. In addition to offering some visibility into the Trump campaign, Mr. Gates might be able to provide prosecutors with glimpses into decision-making in the months after the president’s election victory. Besides the plea agreement with Mr. Gates, the special counsel’s team has already secured guilty pleas from two of Mr. Trump’s advisers. In 2008, Mr. Gates took over the firm’s duties in Eastern Europe, where he worked on business development and contract negotiations.

Source: New York Times February 23, 2018 14:34 UTC