I suspect this means Gates has entered his plea deal, which is being kept under seal. Manafort has to be sweating, a lot.
Manafort is between the Scylla of the Russian Mob and FSB, and the Charybdis of Mueller having the goods on him and being able to send him away for years. And both are hungry.
Manafort can doubtless help with Mueller’s case against Trump, although I doubt he can provide too much information that isn’t already known. Poor Paulie Walnuts; there’s no saving him.
Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 · 10:46:51 PM +00:00
·
blue aardvark
Evident Maddow reported that Gates has retained new counsel, who were seen visiting Mueller’s offices. That would justify the old counsel withdrawing — but not under seal.
The under seal bit makes me think the new lawyer negotiated a plea deal.