DEVELOPING: Closing Arguments in Explosive Manafort Trial Begin

On Tuesday, Paul Manafort opted to skip out on a defense and proceeded to closing arguments instead, reported ABC News.

“Mr. Manafort just rested his case. He did so because he and his legal team believe that the government has not met its burden of proof,” Manafort’s lawyer Kevin Downing said on Tuesday.

The closing arguments began at 9:30 AM ET Wednesday morning.

Each side has been given 1.5 to 2 hours to deliver their closing arguments.

After the lawyers said they needed 2 hours to deliver closing arguments, Judge Ellis said, ‘If you think you can keep the jurors attention that long then you live on a different planet than I do,’ reported Courthouse News reporter Tim Ryan.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys said they will need about 2 hours each for their closing arguments.

Ellis said that’s more than he expected. He told the attorneys if they think they can keep jurors’ attention for 2 hours “then you live on a different planet than I do.”

— Tim Ryan (@tjryan93) August 10, 2018

Mueller’s prosecutor Greg Andres said during his closing argument on Wednesday that, “Manafort is not above the law…Mr. Manafort lied to keep more money when he had it and he lied to get more money when he didn’t.”

Closing arguments in the #ManafortTrial have been going for more than 45 minutes at this point

Prosecutor Greg Andres told the jury Manafort is “not above the law.”

“Mr. Manafort lied to keep more money when he had it and he lied to get more money when he didn’t,” Andres said.

— Tim Ryan (@tjryan93) August 15, 2018

The Feds are essentially arguing Manafort’s money is ‘littered with lies.’

Courthouse News reporter Brandi Buchman with more of the drama unfolding:

#ManafortTrial Closing Arguments Thread –
Prosecutor Andres emphasized to jurors: “If you have any doubt that he’s guilty of bank fraud or conspiracy to commit bank fraud at the Federal Savings Bank, then…

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) August 15, 2018

all you need to remember is that he sent a fake profit and loss sheet to Federal Savings Bank. And you will recall from testimony by his tax preparer Heather Washkuhn that Davis Manafort Partners had no income at this time [but it was not reflected this way].”

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) August 15, 2018

“Remember, he lied about where he lived and liens on his property. He altered some documents and backdated others,” Andres said.

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) August 15, 2018

Parting shots from Mueller’s prosecutor Greg Andres:

Parting shots across the bow from prosec. Andres:
“This case is about Paul Manafort and his money and how he kept that money [shielded from taxes]. The evidence is overwhelming to tax fraud and failure to register foreign bank accounts. (1/2)

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) August 15, 2018

Ladies and gentleman, this case is about when he didn’t have money and how he lied to get more.”
(2/2)

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) August 15, 2018

Update: Prosecutors wrapped up their closing arguments. Court goes to lunch recess until 1:30 PM ET. Manafort lawyers to deliver their closing arguments this afternoon.

Prosecutors have wrapped up their closing arguments. We are on lunch recess until 1:30 PM EST. Then, when we reconvene, it’s direct to defense closing arguments. #ManafortTrial @CourthouseNews

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) August 15, 2018

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Mueller’s prosecutors rested their case Monday, day 10 of the bank fraud and tax evasion trial against Paul Manafort playing out in an Alexandria, VA courtroom.