CBS News/AP August 3, 2018, 8:28 AM Friday marks day four of the bank fraud trial for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and the trial is moving through witnesses swiftly. Manafort is charged with four counts of bank fraud and five counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, among other things. On Thursday, the court heard testimony from four witnesses -- two vendors, Manafort's bookkeeper and the managing shareholder from the accounting firm he used to prepare his taxes, CBS News' Clare Hymes reports. Manafort's bookkeeper testified she was not aware of any foreign accounts that Manafort held and used to pay for millions in luxury purchases for himself. Prosecutor Greg Andres said it is the government's "intention to call Rick Gates as a witness" at some point in the trial. Gates was Manafort's business associate.Counsel for the government still feels confident they will be able to rest their case next week. The judge in the case, T.S. Ellis, has said that he doesn't … [Read more...] about Manafort bank fraud trial, day four — live updates
Bank frauds
Photos from Paul Manafort’s bank fraud trial shows the $15,000 ostrich coat he allegedly bought with money from his offshore accounts
caption Paul Manafort. source Thomson Reuters Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for Donald Trump, stands accused of bank fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering. His trial in that case began in Virginia this week. According to the prosecution’s opening argument, Manafort purchased several luxury goods, including a $15,000 jacket “made from an ostrich.” The internet appeared to put Manafort on trial for his fashion choices. Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for Donald Trump, allegedly spent thousands of dollars on clothing and extravagant fashion accessories, including a $15,000 jacket “made from an ostrich,” according to federal prosecutors. During Manafort’s criminal trial on Wednesday, a mens clothier reportedly provided an image of the ostrich jacket Manafort bought through an international wire transfer. The internet also appeared to put Manafort on trial for his fashion choices after the … [Read more...] about Photos from Paul Manafort’s bank fraud trial shows the $15,000 ostrich coat he allegedly bought with money from his offshore accounts
Paul Manafort trial on bank fraud begins
The long-awaited trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort began Tuesday in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Manafort is being charged with tax evasion and bank fraud in the first trial stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Before Manafort attorney Kevin Downing entered the courtroom Tuesday morning, he told CBS News' Paula Reid that there is "no chance" Manafort will cooperate with prosecutors or enter a plea deal. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters Tuesday morning that there has been no discussion of a potential pardon by President Trump of Manafort. Still, Reid points out that the pardon power is broad enough for Mr. Trump to pardon Manafort at any time for the crimes he has been charged with in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Twelve jurors will be selected this week. The pool of potential jurors will be questioned by both sides and by U.S. District Judge T. S. … [Read more...] about Paul Manafort trial on bank fraud begins
New York police warn dating site users of bank fraud scam
TUCKAHOE, Westchester County -- The Tuckahoe Police Department is warning users of dating sites that scammers have been utilizing the services to commit bank fraud and steal from unsuspecting victims.Officials said three incidents over the past eight months, two involving women from Queens and a third involving a woman from Connecticut, netted the suspect or suspects more than $15,000 and involved the site Plenty of Fish. "He coaxes them into meeting, thinking that this is a real transaction," Tuckahoe police Lieutenant Larry Rotta said. "The victim thinks she is helping him out in the matter."The suspect is accused of cultivating a trusting online relationship with the victims through a lengthy exchange of texts, pictures and e-mails. He reportedly tells the women that as a Chase bank employee, he could earn vacation days and bonuses if they open up an account with a $5,000 cash deposit. The women agree and set up their first face-to-face "date" at a Chase bank parking lot.Upon … [Read more...] about New York police warn dating site users of bank fraud scam
20 suspect hackers arrested over online banking fraud
20 suspected fraudsters have been arrested in connection with a banking fraud scheme which resulted in the loss of over a million euros.On Thursday, Europol said that the arrests are the result of a two-year investigation between the agency, the Romanian National Police and the Italian National Police, and Eurojust.On 28 March, a series of arrests took place across Europe. In total, the raids resulted in the arrest of nine individuals from Romania and 11 in Italy, all of which are remanded in custody.Law enforcement alleges that the group used spear phishing and mass email campaigns to impersonate tax agencies. The emails were crafted to appear from legitimate sources in order to lure victims to click on malicious links which led to fraudulent websites.These domains then requested the online banking credentials of victims. When submitted, these credentials were then used by the scammers to make fraudulent transactions to bank accounts under their control. The funds, now … [Read more...] about 20 suspect hackers arrested over online banking fraud