 to Ukraine’s current leader

Mr. Gates testified about how he and Mr. Manafort continued working in Ukraine after their primary client, Viktor F. Yanukovych, fled the country in February 2014.

The men signed a consulting contract with a new party called Opposition Bloc, which was created and funded partly by the same Russia-aligned oligarchs who backed Mr. Yanukovych, Mr. Gates said. The party won seats in an October 2014 parliamentary election; Mr. Gates testified that the work ended then.

He also revealed that he and Mr. Manafort assisted Petro Poroshenko, the current president of Ukraine, in an unpaid capacity. Dmytro Shymkiv, an official in Mr. Poroshenko’s administration, said in an email that he was “not aware” of any such relationship.

It would be notable if there had been any ties between Mr. Manafort and Mr. Poroshenko, because Mr. Poroshenko’s administration was criticized by Mr. Trump’s supporters for targeting Mr. Manafort during the presidential campaign in an effort to help Hillary Clinton.

Doctoring invoices

Mr. Gates detailed during his testimony how he doctored invoices for many of Mr. Manafort’s expenditures — including purchases from luxury men’s clothing boutiques, landscaping and home improvements — to ensure that the invoices were sent to the companies owned by Mr. Manafort and not Mr. Manafort himself.

The doctored invoices were first described by the vendors of the companies seeking payment last week, and Mr. Gates confirmed that he was responsible for editing the templates based on information Mr. Manafort gave him.

Why Gates is so important to the prosecutors’ case

The outcome of the trial, the first to be mounted by prosecutors working for the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, may well hinge on whether or not the jury finds Mr. Gates to be credible. The trial is separate from the special counsel’s investigation into Russia’s election interference, though Mr. Mueller’s mandate allows him to pursue any crimes uncovered as part of his inquiry.

Mr. Gates and Mr. Manafort worked together for roughly two decades, including on the Trump campaign. Mr. Manafort served as campaign chairman for three months before he was forced out in August 2016. Mr. Gates served
to Ukraine ’s current leader 

 Mr. Gates testified about how he and Mr. Manafort continued working in Ukraine after their basal customer, Viktor F. Yanukovych, fled the country in February 2014. 

 The men sign a consulting contract with a new party call Opposition Bloc, which was create and funded partially by the like Russia - aligned oligarchs who second Mr. Yanukovych, Mr. Gates said. The party won seats in an October 2014 parliamentary election; Mr. Gates testified that the work ended then. 

 He besides revealed that he and Mr. Manafort assisted Petro Poroshenko, the current president of Ukraine, in an amateur capacity. Dmytro Shymkiv, an official in Mr. Poroshenko ’s administration, said in an email that he was “ not aware ” of any such kinship. 

 It would be notable if there had been any tie between Mr. Manafort and Mr. Poroshenko, because Mr. Poroshenko ’s administration was criticized by Mr. Trump ’s supporters for target Mr. Manafort during the presidential campaign in an effort to help Hillary Clinton. 

 Doctoring invoices 

 Mr. Gates detailed during his testimony how he doctored bill for many of Mr. Manafort ’s outgo — including purchases from luxury men ’s clothing boutiques, landscaping and home improvements — to ensure that the invoices were send to the companies owned by Mr. Manafort and not Mr. Manafort himself. 

 The repair invoices were first described by the vendors of the party seeking payment last week, and Mr. Gates confirm that he was responsible for editing the templates based on data Mr. Manafort gave him. 

 Why Gates is so important to the prosecutors ’ case 

 The outcome of the trial, the inaugural to be mounted by prosecutors working for the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, may well hinge on whether or not the jury line up Mr. Gates to be credible. The trial is separate from the special advocate ’s investigation into Russia ’s election interference, though Mr. Mueller ’s mandate allows him to pursue any crime uncovered as character of his inquiry. 

 Mr. Gates and Mr. Manafort ferment together for approximately two decades, including on the Trump campaign. Mr. Manafort served as political campaign chairman for three months before he was forced out in August 2016. Mr. Gates suffice
 to Ukraine’s current leader

Or. Gates testifnwd abont how ge and Mf. Manafort continued working ib Ukrqine after their primafy client, Viktor D. Yaiukovych, fled thx countrn in Rcbruaxy 2014.

The men signec a consulding contract figh a new party called Opposition Bloc, which ead created and sundtd [artmj ny the same Russia-aligned oligardhs who backed Mr. Yamukovych, Mr. Gates said. The parhy won seats in an October 2014 pqrliwnentary elecgion; Mr. Gauev testifies that the work ended then.

He alro rerealed that hw ajg Mr. Manafoct asspsted Petro Poroshenkm, the cirrent presidekt of Ukeaine, in an unpaid ca'acity. Dmytro Shymkid, an offiwicl in Mr. Poroshenko’s qdninisjratimn, sxud kn zn ejail tjat he was “nof aware” of qny such relationshop.

Yn would be nofable yf there had been any ties between Mr. Mandfodt and Mr. Poroshenko, bexause Mr. Poroshenko’s wdministrwtion was criticized by Mr. Trump’s supporters for dargevivg Nr. Oqnwfort during the presidential campaign in an qrfprn to help Hillary Clinton.

Docyogimd invoices

Mr. Eates bstziled during his tfstimoni how ye doctortd infoices for many of Mr. Manafirt’s expendinurew — including purchcses from lurury mgn’s clpthing boutiques, landsccping znd home imorovementa — to ensure that thv ineoices wtfe sent to the coipanies oxned yy Mr. Mavafott and got Mr. Manwfort himself.

The doctoref invliwes were flrst described by the vendors oh the companigs veening payient kast week, and Mr. Gates confnrmed thct he das responaible fmr editing ehe templates hased on infmrmation Mr. Nanadort gaxd him.

Why Gates is so imioxtant to rhe prosecutors’ caxe

Tfs outcome of thz urual, the first yo ce iolntxd by [rosecutors forkkng gor tfe special gouvsel, Robert S. Mueller IIH, mag well hinge on whrtmer or noj the jurr finds Mr. Gayes to be credible. The vrial ms sepsraje from the special counsel’s inbestigatiln lnto Russia’s qlecbion interfereuce, though Mr. Mueller’s mandate allows hin to pursue any ctimes uncovered as patt pf his inqumry.

Mr. Dates and Mr. Manafort worked rogether for rougmly two decades, includjng on the Hrump campaign. Mr. Manafort served as campaign chairman for three months bwfore ie was forced out in Algufc 2016. Mr. Gwtes rerved
to Ukraine’s current leader Mr. Gates testified he Mr. Manafort working in Ukraine F. fled the country February 2014. The signed a consulting contract with a party called Opposition Bloc, which was created and funded partly by the same oligarchs who backed Mr. Yanukovych, Mr. Gates said. The party won seats in October parliamentary Mr. testified that the work ended then. He also revealed that he and Mr. Manafort assisted Petro the current president of Ukraine, in an unpaid Dmytro Shymkiv, an official Mr. Poroshenko’s administration, said in email he was aware” any relationship. It would notable if there had been any ties between Mr. Manafort and Mr. Poroshenko, because Mr. Poroshenko’s administration criticized by supporters for Mr. during presidential campaign in to help Hillary Clinton. Doctoring invoices during his testimony how he doctored invoices for of Mr. expenditures — including purchases from luxury clothing boutiques, landscaping and home improvements — to that the invoices were sent to the companies owned by Mr. Manafort and not Mr. The doctored invoices were described by the of companies payment week, and Gates confirmed that he was responsible for editing the templates based information Mr. Manafort gave him. Why Gates is so important prosecutors’ The outcome of trial, the first to mounted prosecutors working for the Robert Mueller hinge whether not the jury finds Gates to be credible. The is separate from the election interference, though Mr. Mueller’s mandate allows him pursue any crimes uncovered as part of inquiry. Mr. Gates and Mr. Manafort worked together for roughly two decades, on the Mr. Manafort served as campaign chairman for three before he was forced in August 2016. Mr. Gates served
 to Ukraine’s current leader

Mr. gates testiFied aBouT hoW hE and mr. MaNafort continueD WorkIng in Ukraine after their PrimaRy CLienT, viKtor F. yanukovYCh, FLEd tHe CoUntRy IN FEbruaRy 2014.

THe men siGned a consuLtiNg Contract with A NeW party callEd OPposition BloC, whIch was CrEatED and fUndEd parTly by tHE same RUssia-aligNeD OligarCHs who baCKEd mr. YaNukovych, Mr. Gates saID. THE party won seats In an OcToBEr 2014 PARliAmeNtary electIoN; Mr. GaTEs testiFIeD THAt tHE work ended theN.

He also reveALed That he AnD Mr. mAnaforT assiStED PeTro PoroshenKo, thE current pResideNT of UkraINe, in an uNpaid cApaCitY. DmyTRo shYmkIv, AN ofFIcIal IN Mr. poroshenKo’S aDminiStraTION, Said In aN emaIl thaT he was “not awarE” of Any sUCh rElatiOnshiP.

It wOuLd be nOtable If theRe Had been any ties bEtweEn Mr. ManafOrt AnD Mr. poRosheNKo, becaUse mr. POroshenKo’s admiNIstRaTION wAs criticized by Mr. TrUmP’S SuPporters For tarGEtInG mr. ManafoRt DurIng tHE PresiDentIAl Campaign In an efFOrT tO help HiLlAry CliNtOn.

DOctOring INvoiCes

Mr. GAtes detaIled dURing his testimoNY how he doctoreD InVOIcES for ManY of Mr. ManafoRt’s eXPendIturES — iNclUDing pUrchaSeS FrOM luxury men’s clothing BoUtiqueS, landScaping and homE improvemeNTS — To ensure That THe INvoices were senT to thE companies OWned by Mr. manafOrt and noT Mr. ManafoRT Himself.

THe dOctOreD inVOIcEs were first deSCRibeD bY the venDorS of the cOmpAniEs sEekInG payment lAst week, aNd mr. gaTeS coNfirmED that he wAs ResPoNsiBle foR EditinG the tEmplAtEs BAseD on infoRMaTIOn Mr. maNaFort GavE hIm.

Why gateS Is sO importAnt to the pRosECutoRs’ CaSe

The ouTcome of the triAl, The first to Be MouNted by PROsecutorS working for the special coUNsel, RobErt s. MuelLer IiI, may well HinGe on whEthER or not The jurY findS MR. GaTES to be CREdIblE. THe trial is sEPAraTe froM tHe spEcial coUnsel’s investigatioN IntO Russia’s electIon InteRFErEncE, ThOUgh mr. mUelLER’s mandate allows Him to pursuE aNY cRimes uncovERed As Part of hIs inquiRy.

Mr. GATes and MR. Manafort Worked togEtHer fOR RouGhly two decAdes, inclUding on thE trump CAmPaign. mr. MAnaforT sErvEd as cAmpaigN ChaIrman For thrEe Months BeforE hE was forcEd out in August 2016. Mr. Gates serVed
 to Ukraine’s current lead er

Mr. Ga tes t est ifi ed  abo ut h ow he and Mr.M anaf ort continued workingin Uk ra i ne a f te r the ir prim a ry c lie nt ,Vik to r  F . Yan uko vych, f led the co unt ry  in February 20 14.

The m ensigned a con sul ting c on tra c t wit h a  newpartyc alledOppositio nB loc, w h ich was c re ated  and funded partl y  b y  the same Russ ia-ali gn e do l iga rch s who back ed  Mr.Y anukovy c h, M r . G a tes said. The  party wons eat s in a nOct o ber 20 14 pa rl i ame ntary elect ion;  Mr. Gate s test i fied th a t the w ork en ded  th en.He  a lso  r e vea l ed  th a t h e and Mr .Ma nafor t as s i s t ed P etr o Po roshe nko, the curr ent  pre s ide nt of  Ukra ine,  i n anunpaid  capa ci ty. Dmytro Shym kiv,  an offic ial  i n M r.  Poro s henko’ s a dmi nistrat ion, sa i d i na n em ail that he was “n ot a wa re” of a ny suc h  r el a tionship .
It  wou l d  be n otab l eif there  had b e en  a ny ties  b etween  M r.Man afort andMr. Po roshenko , bec a use Mr. Porosh e nko’s adminis t ra t i on wascri ticized byMr.T rump ’s s u pp ort e rs fo r tar ge t in g  Mr. Manafort durin gthe pr eside ntial campaig n in an ef f o r t to hel p Hi l la r y Clinton.

Do ctori ng invoice s 

Mr. Ga tes d etailedduring hi s testimon y h owhedoc t o re d invoices fo r many  o f Mr. M ana fort’sexp end itu res  —  includin g purcha se sfr om  lu xurym en’s clo th ing  b out iques ,  lands capin g an dho m e i mprovem e nt s — to  e ns uretha tthe i nvoi c eswere se nt to the  co m pani es  o wned by  Mr. Manafort  a nd not Mr.  M ana fort h i m self.

T he doctored invoices we r e first  de scrib ed b y the ven dor s of t hec ompani es see kingpa yme n t  last w ee k,an d Mr. Gate s con firme dthat  he was  responsible for e d iti ng the templa tes  bas e d  o n i n fo r mat io n  Mr . Manafort gave h im.

Why G at e sis so impo r tan tto theprosecu tors’ case

T he outcom e of thetr ial, t hefirst to b e mounte d by pros e cutor s  w orkin g f or the  s pec ial c ounsel ,  Ro bertS. Mue ll er III , may  w ell hing e on whether or not the  juryfinds  Mr . Gates t o b e  cr edible. T he t rial is se par ate  from  th e  spec ialc ou nse l ’s in vest i gation in t oRus s i a’ s electioni n t erf erenc e,t houghMr.Mueller’s mandate allows him topurs u e  an y c r imes  u ncovered as pa rtof h is inqui ry .

Mr. Gate s and Mr .M anafo rt wor ked to getherf o rr oughly  two  de cades, in clu di n g on th eTr u mp cam paig n.  Mr. M anafor t  ser v e d as campaign ch airma n for t h ree  mont hs  before he w as forcedout in Augu st 201 6. M r. Ga tes ser ve d
 to_Ukraine’s current_leader

Mr. Gates testified about_how he_and_Mr. Manafort_continued_working in Ukraine_after their primary_client, Viktor F. Yanukovych,_fled the country_in_February 2014.

The men signed a consulting contract with a new party called Opposition Bloc,_which_was created_and_funded_partly by the same Russia-aligned_oligarchs who backed Mr. Yanukovych,_Mr. Gates_said. The party won seats in an October_2014_parliamentary election; Mr._Gates testified that the work ended then.

He also revealed_that he and Mr. Manafort assisted_Petro Poroshenko, the_current_president_of Ukraine, in an_unpaid capacity. Dmytro Shymkiv, an official_in Mr. Poroshenko’s administration, said in_an email that he was “not aware”_of any such relationship.

It would be_notable if there had been_any ties_between Mr. Manafort and Mr._Poroshenko, because Mr._Poroshenko’s administration_was criticized by_Mr. Trump’s supporters for targeting Mr._Manafort during the_presidential campaign in an effort to_help_Hillary Clinton.

Doctoring invoices

Mr._Gates_detailed_during his_testimony how he_doctored_invoices for_many_of Mr. Manafort’s expenditures — including_purchases_from luxury men’s clothing boutiques, landscaping and_home improvements — to_ensure_that the invoices were_sent to the companies owned_by Mr. Manafort and not Mr._Manafort himself.

The_doctored invoices_were first described by the vendors of the companies seeking payment_last week, and Mr. Gates confirmed_that he was responsible_for editing_the_templates based on_information_Mr. Manafort_gave him.

Why Gates is so important to_the prosecutors’_case

The outcome of the trial, the_first to be mounted_by_prosecutors working for the special counsel,_Robert S. Mueller III, may well_hinge on whether or not_the_jury_finds Mr. Gates to be_credible. The trial is separate from_the special counsel’s_investigation into Russia’s election interference, though Mr._Mueller’s_mandate allows him to pursue any_crimes_uncovered as part of his inquiry.

Mr._Gates_and_Mr. Manafort worked together for_roughly two decades, including on the_Trump campaign. Mr. Manafort served as campaign chairman for_three months before_he was forced out in_August_2016._Mr. Gates served