Judge in Manafort Case Warns Mueller Team Case Could Collapse Without Key Witness

Paul Manafort stands in a court room sketch, on the opening day of his trial on bank and tax fraud charges in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. July 31, 2018. Bill Hennessy/Reuters

A federal judge warned prosecutors from special counsel Robert Mueller’s team on Aug. 2 that they “can’t prove conspiracy” in the trial of Paul Manafort unless Rick Gates, Manafort’s former business partner, takes the stand.

Prosecutors in the case suggested the day before that they might not call Gates to answer questions. Greg Andres, a member of Mueller’s team, confirmed that the prosecution will call on Gates.