Gates pleaded guilty to charges related to financial crimes and providing false statements in connection with the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Rick Gates is a political consultant and former associate of Donald Trump. Born on April 27, 1972, in Richmond, Virginia, Gates gained attention for his involvement in Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and later faced legal issues related to the investigation into Russian interference in the election.
Early Career:
- Gates began his career working for political consulting firms and lobbying organizations.
- He first worked with Paul Manafort, another key figure in Trump’s campaign, in the mid-2000s on international political consulting projects.
Work with Paul Manafort:
- Gates and Manafort collaborated on various political consulting ventures, including their work for pro-Russian political figures in Ukraine.
- Both were indicted in 2017 on charges related to financial crimes and lobbying violations.
Involvement in Trump’s Campaign:
- Rick Gates joined Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign alongside Paul Manafort.
- He served as the campaign’s deputy chairman and played a role in managing the Republican National Convention.
Legal Troubles and Cooperation:
- Gates, along with Manafort, faced charges related to financial fraud, tax evasion, and failure to disclose foreign lobbying activities.
- In February 2018, Gates pleaded guilty to several charges as part of a plea deal. He cooperated with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference and potential collusion with the Trump campaign.
Testimony and Sentencing:
- Gates provided key testimony during the trial of Paul Manafort and other legal proceedings.
- In December 2019, Gates was sentenced to 45 days in jail, three years of probation, and 300 hours of community service after being convicted of conspiracy and making false statements.
Post-Legal Period:
- After serving his sentence, Gates wrote a book, “Wicked Game: An Insider’s Story on How Trump Won, Mueller Failed, and America Lost,” offering insights into his experiences with the Trump campaign and the Mueller investigation.
Rick Gates’ legal issues were primarily related to financial crimes and lobbying violations, and his cooperation with the Mueller investigation played a role in the legal proceedings against Paul Manafort and others. Gates’ post-legal period included reflections on his time with the Trump campaign and his views on the investigation.