Mueller focus shifts to Rick Gates

The focus on special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is about to shift to Rick Gates.

Gates, Paul Manafort’s ex-business partner and President Trump’s former deputy campaign chair, has been quietly cooperating with federal prosecutors for over a year on Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference.

He’s also a cooperating witness to other undisclosed federal probes.

A certain air of mystery has long surrounded exactly what Gates is telling his interlocutors, with periodic court filings offering up only nebulous details about his interactions with federal prosecutors.

ADVERTISEMENT

But a Friday filing deadline in his case could offer new details about the extent of his cooperation. It could also provide new clues about the status of Mueller’s sprawling inquiry — which many believe is close to wrapping up.

If prosecutors and attorneys for Gates say he is ready to be sentenced, it will likely be taken as another sign of closure for the special counsel’s two-year probe.

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/434137-mueller-focus-shifts-to-gates?__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true