Defense: Manafort trusted others to handle money

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) – A lawyer for Paul Manafort says the former Trump campaign chairman never intended to deceive U.S. authorities about his income or his foreign bank accounts.

Attorney Thomas Zehnle said in his opening statement Tuesday that Manafort trusted others to keep track of the millions of dollars he was earning from his Ukrainian political work.

He said Manafort had especially relied on Rick Gates, his business associate and now the prosecution’s star witness, but that trust was misplaced.

He warned jurors not to believe Gates when he testifies against Manafort. Gates pleaded guilty earlier this year and agreed to cooperate with investigators.

Testimony in the trial is expected to start Tuesday afternoon.