CNN: Rick Gates Hires Top White-Collar Attorney on Mueller Charges

Former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates has hired a top white-collar attorney to his defense team, CNN reported Tuesday.

Gates, who pleaded not guilty in October to charges stemming from Russia special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, has hired Thomas Green, senior counsel with the Sidley Austin law firm in Washington.

CNN cited "a source familiar with the matter" in its report, noting Green "was seen at special counsel Robert Mueller's office twice last week."

Gates is facing eight charges of money laundering — from allegedly transferring more than $3 million from offshore accounts — and of failing to register for foreign lobbying and other business.

Paul Manafort, who was President Donald Trump's campaign manager and Gates' longtime business partner, pleaded not guilty to nine counts, including allegedly laundering over $18 million to buy properties and services, in the same case as Gates.

"Green's involvement suggests that there is an ongoing negotiation between the defendant's team and the prosecutors," according to CNN.

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