A former top adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges including conspiracy and making false statements, offences revealed during the special counsel's Russia investigation, and says he will now co-operate in the probe. The plea by Rick Gates was a strong indication that he is planning to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation as it continues to probe the Trump campaign, Russian election interference and Gates’ longtime business associate, Paul Manafort. Gates's plea came a day after a federal grand jury in Virginia returned a 32-count indictment against him and Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, accusing them of tax evasion and bank fraud.
Rick Gates pleads guilty to charges of conspiracy against the United States and making false statements, and agrees to cooperate with the Special Counsel investigation.