Manafort trial day 4: Accountant concedes possible wrongdoing, Manafort's double life

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico


'They never told us about any income deposited in foreign accounts,' Manafort's accountant told jurors.

By JOSH GERSTEIN and DARREN SAMUELSOHN 08/03/2018 12:50 PM EDT Updated 08/03/2018 03:55 PM EDT

An accountant for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort admitted at Manafort's tax- and bank-fraud trial Friday that she filed tax returns she thought contained false information and that she may have committed a crime in doing so.

Accountant Cindy Laporta said she had a sense that what Manafort and aide Rick Gates told her about funds being transferred into their international political consulting business wasn't accurate.

"I prepared the tax returns and communicated with banks based on information that Mr. Gates and Mr. Manafort provided to me that I didn't believe," said Laporta, the first witness at the trial to testify under a grant of immunity.

The admission is the first time a witness has acknowledged knowing involvement in potential wrongdoing during Manafort's trial, where the longtime lobbyist is fighting charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. Laporta is one of five people on the Mueller’s witness list for whom the government requested immunity.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/03/paul-manafort-trial-2018-761300

[PoliticAverse]

1. And that's why she needed immunity. n/t

[emulatorloo]

2. Yes. Also this: Accountant testifies she helped falsify documents to help Manafort get loans

4:54 p.m.: Accountant testifies she helped falsify documents to help Manafort get loans

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2018/08/03/paul-manafort-trial-day-4-what-to-expect-from-testimony-today/?utm_term=.2aa34792c48b

Cindy Laporta is now testifying that she was involved the falsification of documents to help Paul Manafort obtain loans.

First, she said that although documents from Manafort’s bookkeeper showed that a property he owned in Lower Manhattan was being used as a rental in 2015 — he made $116,000 in income while also claiming depreciation — she told an employee of Citizens Bank it was a second home because Manafort could “get a better rate” on a long that way.

Next, she testified that the same bank employee, David Fallarino, said Manafort needed more “liquidity” to qualify for a loan.

“The bank wanted to see more money available to pay back the loan,” she said.

So, she reached out to Gates, who told her a $1.5 million loan from Peranova Holdings in 2012 had been forgiven in 2015. She told that to Fallarino, who asked for “color” — ie, documentation.

Asked who directed her to say the loan was forgiven, she said “Mr. Manafort or Mr. Gates.” She relied on “their word,” she said.

Given her experience with the Telmar loan, prosecutor Uzo Asonye asked, did Laporta believe the loan had really been forgiven in 2015?

“Uh… no,” she replied.

[spooky3]

3. Had this greedy worm sold two of his properties,

Even at a loss, he would probably have been ok with regard to cash flow. Of course he still had other legal problems. But it amazes me that he made things much more difficult for himself because he wouldn’t let go of the properties.

[WhiteTara]

4. Maybe they didn't really belong to him.

Might have been in his name, but Oleg gave so much money, they might have his.

[spooky3]

5. He paid cash for the Arlington house titled in

His daughter’s name. She apparently paid the down payment. It’s still a seller’s market there so he could have cleared close to $2 mill, given his daughter back her down payment, and reduced other debts. Likely he had more equity in at least one other property.

[WhiteTara]

6. Nobody said this gang of international criminals

was smart. Not one single one of them. They're just cruel and greedy.

[spooky3]

7. Agree. It's incredible that someone could get away

Last edited Fri Aug 3, 2018, 08:47 PM - Edit history (1)

With crimes when he or she is that dumb. But then, maybe he’s not getting away with it.

[WhiteTara]

8. Yes, it does look like the bill is coming due

very soon and pay he will.