Prosecutors have filed a sentencing memorandum urging leniency for Rick Gates because of his exceptional cooperation and assistance with the Mueller investigation and Federal prosecutors. Gates was charged with many of the same crimes committed by Manafort as a co-conspirator with him. Even so, prosecutors recommend no prison for Gates, just probation.
Gates testified against both Stone and Manafort, greatly assisting in their convictions. A grateful prosecution states:
“he has pledged to continue to cooperate with the government after his sentencing in several ongoing matters. In short, under exceedingly difficult circumstances and under intense public scrutiny, Gates has worked earnestly to provide the government with everything it has asked of him and has fulfilled all obligations under his plea agreement . . .
As described in the supplemental Motion being filed separately under seal, Gates has provided truthful and valuable information in a number of different ongoing matters . . . Gates has provided significant information contributing to the convictions of Manafort and Stone, and to other investigations that are ongoing.”
They are still filing stuff under seal to protect ongoing investigations. I don’t know what those other ongoing investigations are, but there appear to be several of them and we are likely to hear yet more echoes from the Mueller Report.
There is a hint as to what some of the ongoing matters might towards the end of the sentencing memo as the government suggests Gates was targeted with bribes:
“Gates received pressure not to cooperate with the government, including assurances of monetary assistance. He should be commended for standing up to provide information and public testimony against individuals such as Manafort, Craig, and Stone, knowing well that they enjoy support from the upper echelons of American politics and society.”
