Gates has NOT flipped, & "is not about to make a deal with the Special Counsel Robert Mueller"

[MelissaB]

Ex-Trump Staffer Rick Gates Fires His Lawyer in Russia Probe

Paul Manafort’s long-time deputy has terminated Tom Green, the Washington attorney who reportedly tried to get him a plea deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Former Trump campaign official Rick Gates has fired his lawyer, The Daily Beast has learned. And, contrary to recent media reports, Gates is not about to make a deal with the Special Counsel Robert Mueller, according to sources familiar with the matter.

CNN and The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month that Gates was on the cusp of signing a plea deal with Mueller’s team, and noted that Gates’ lawyer—Tom Green of Sidley Austin—is known for his work negotiating such pleas. If Gates had started cooperating with Mueller, it would certainly have been a boon to the prosecution.

Instead, Gates—for the time being, at least—isn’t flipping. And Green is out, replaced with Barry Pollack, of Miller Chevalier, according to sources familiar with the matter. Neither Green nor Pollack immediately returned a request for comment.

Over the years, Gates has operated closely with former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Together, they worked for Viktor Yanukovich, the Putin-friendly former president of Ukraine. That work—for which the duo allegedly received millions in secret payments—generated controversy during President Donald Trump’s campaign, and ultimately contributed to Manafort’s firing from Team Trump. It also drew the special counsel’s attention.

More: https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-trump-staffer-rick-gates-fires-his-lawyer-in-russia-probe

[MelissaB]

1. Feel the squeeze. How can these two even breathe at this point?

[OhNo-Really]

2. Or maybe Bannon spilled Gate's beans and Gate's has no deal.

So he fired his lawyer.

20 hours of Bannon and Meuller team chit chatting. But is Bannon credible? Mueller et al can check that out in a heart beat.

[NewsCenter28]

9. That's a positive thing to hope for

I could easily see Steve Bannon having more damning information than Gates. Lose Gates, gain Bannon? I'd take that in a heartbeat!

[Leghorn21]

13. Whew, thanks for posting this, 28! Hope is restored! Yes, that TWENTY HOUR chit chat with

Mr. Mueller & Co. might have been a....beneficial one!

[OhNo-Really]

15. Seems like Gates and Mannafort are dead men walking either way.

Putin et al play games with live ammo

[Leghorn21]

17. Yes, and I grin broadly when trouble befalls these mobsters, No, but meanwhile have no idea if

this is, legally speaking, good news or bad - ?!? If Gates clams up, what does that mean?!

Manic depression is a frustratin MESS

But I shall keep calm and carry on, dammit!!!

[OhNo-Really]

20. I listen to soothing mantras and meditate and take xtra bp meds

[Glamrock]

18. I don't know.

Bannon wasn't there from the beginning, Gates was.

[Hassler]

3. Someone whispered

in his ear something about a Polonium sunset.

[crazylikafox]

5. yep. My thought also.

What he knows is too dangerous to admit.

[maxsolomon]

4. Counting on a Pardon

no doubt.

probably a good bet.

[imanamerican63]

6. It must be something bad enough not to squeal?

Did Putin get to him and threatened him?

[SHRED]

7. Why are they under house arrest rather than jail?

[Lindsay]

10. As I understand it,

that's pretty common for white-collar crime and wealthy suspects.

As somebody has said, this country has a legal system, not a justice system.

[OhNo-Really]

14. aka a two-tiered (tears) justice system

[Mike Nelson]

8. Given that his prison...

...sentence should exceed his life expectancy, he should start serving now!

[sunonmars]

11. Gates has no money left, had to fire his attorney

Couldn’t pay him’ he’ll flip

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. I thought he fired him because the lawyer wanted to cut a deal. nt

[sarah FAILIN]

16. Tax evasion charges filed

Among other things..

[BoneyardDem]

19. Gates is trying to be a brave little soldier in Trump's army.

He will soon find out Trump is not his friend, nor his ally.

There has been speculation that he is simply trying to protect his family against threat...that maybe. But I can guarantee that threat doesn't go away, EVER, no matter what he doesn't say to Mueller.

[drray23]

21. He is thinking better be in jail than betray Putin.

He may end up badly if he pisses of the oligarchs. I would not be surprised if some of their shady deals involved the Russian mafia as well.