Article snippet: Defense attorneys in the criminal trial against Tuesday, accusing him of stealing money from Manafort to “to fund a separate secret life.” Manafort's attorney, Kevin Downing, suggested there was a side to Gates few had seen. "The secret life of Rick Gates," he said. Gates admitted on the stand that he had a relationship for a period of time with someone in London and maintained an apartment there for two months when Downing pressed him to admit he stole about $3 million from Manafort. Downing presented Gates with documents showing wire transfers for fake expense reports, including a $120,000 payment in 2015 from the Caribbean-based Global Endeavor, which Manafort controlled, to Blade LLC, a company Gates controlled. Gates tried to appear remorseful as he explained to the jury that he fabricated the expenses because he was “living outside his means.” “I regret it, clearly, and am taking responsibility for it,” he said. “It’s embezzlement is it not?” Downing later pressed. Gates said it was money he took from Manafort that was unauthorized, but the answer wasn’t enough for Downing. “Why won’t you say it’s embezzlement?” he asked. “It’s embezzlement,” Gates finally admitted. The heated exchange was the courtroom drama many had been waiting for. Spectators and members of the media sat shoulder to shoulder in the packed room after having stood in long lines ahead of Tuesday’s proceedings for a seat. The defense highlighted the terms of the deal Gates received for te... Link to the full article to read more