A bookkeeper for Paul Manafort who knew the details of his financial activity had no knowledge of his foreign bank accounts, she testified in court Thursday.
Heather Washkuhn, a managing director of Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno, has worked with Manafort since 2011, keeping track of his personal and business accounts.
But Washkuhn told the jury of 12 that she was unaware of any bank accounts Manafort had in Cyprus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Ukraine.
Federal prosecutors believe Manafort concealed income overseas that he made while working for Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and evaded taxes. They also say he lied to banks when applying for loans after his income from his Ukrainian clients dwindled.
Washkuhn is the 12th witness to take the stand in Manafort’s trial, and her testimony is expected to last up to three hours.
Prosecutor Greg Andres told Judge T.S. Ellis III that Washkuhn could testify as to the specifics of Manafort’s finances and also had a role with the allegations of bank fraud he is facing, though Andres clarified she was not involved in the alleged fraud but rather has crucial knowledge.
In addition to addressing Manafort’s foreign bank accounts, Washkuhn also said she was unaware of a number of firms Manafort controlled that loaned money to or paid him.
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A general ledger for one of Manafort’s consulting firms, Davis Manafort Partners Inc., from 2011, which was prepared by Washkuhn’s firm, showed income to Manafort of $375,000 from Global Highway Limited, a firm Manafort created in Cyprus.
Washkuhn said she did not know where the payment came from.
Another entry in the ledger showed a $2 million loan from Yiakora Ventures, another company Manafort controlled in Cyprus.
Washkuhn said she did not have documentation related to the loan, but would have requested it.
The ledger from 2011 also showed more than $2 million in income to Manafort from Leviathan Advisers, a third firm prosecutors allege Manafort created in Cyprus to launder millions of dollars.
Washkuhn said Manafort was one of 35 clients she has, and described him as being “very detail oriented” and “knowledgeable.”
“He approved every penny of everything we paid,” she said.
She also interacted with Rick Gates, Manafort’s former business associate and right-hand man.
Gates is expected to be the star witness of the trial.
Manafort’s lawyers alleged on the first day of the trial that Gates was responsible for the alleged tax and bank fraud, and lied to Manafort to enrich himself.
Washkuhn told the court she worked with Gates when it came to Manafort’s business affairs and would communicate with him when her firm couldn’t reach Manafort.
Washkuhn’s company had access to a trove of Manafort’s financial records, including details of his income and expenses, real estate holdings and bills.
Each year, she would prepare ledgers detailing his activities, which were then given to Manafort’s accountants and tax preparers to assist with filing his taxes.
Manafort is facing 18 counts of bank and tax fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.