Democratic consultant Tad Devine was the first witness to take the stand in former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s trial.
Manafort’s trial, the first stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, started Tuesday with jury selection and opening statements.
Federal prosecutors called Devine to the stand as their first witness and focused their questions on his work with Manafort in Ukraine.
Devine revealed during the course of his testimony that he was paid $500,000 for his political consulting during Viktor Yanukovych’s 2010 presidential campaign in Ukraine and also received $100,000 after Yanukovych won.
Questioning Devine for the government, prosecutor Greg Andres appeared to be working to establish how Manafort made his money and the extent of his work for Yanukovych and the Party of Regions.
Manafort is facing 18 counts of bank and tax fraud. Prosecutors for Mueller say he laundered tens of millions of dollars and misled banks to secure loans when the spigot of funds from his Ukraine work ran dry.
Devine told prosecutors he was paid for his work with Manafort through wire transfers, but could not recall whether those payments were made from foreign transfers.
His former partner, Devine said, was initially contacted by Rick Gates, Manafort’s former business associate and right-hand man, about assisting with the campaigns in Ukraine.
Manafort’s lawyers, meanwhile, asked Devine about Gates’ role. Devine said Gates helped to arrange travel and assisted with work Manafort was often too busy to do himself.
Devine also praised Manafort, saying he “worked harder than anybody” and at all hours of the day.
The jury selected for Manafort’s trial will reconvene Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.
[More: Manafort’s trial kicks off]
