On Monday afternoon, Trump’s ex-campaign chair walked into a Washington courtroom – and the ensuing hour made it clear how steeply he has fallen

Paul Manafort walked into the modern wood-panelled courtroom, accompanied by a US marshall, with his hands firmly behind his back as if wearing handcuffs. He was not, but the ensuing hour made clear how steeply he has fallen.

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In July last year Manafort was walking tall in expensive suits at the Republican national convention in Cleveland, regularly briefing reporters and trashing opponents as he witnessed the coronation of his boss, Donald Trump, as the party’s nominee for president.

On Monday, by contrast, he endured the humiliation of standing before a judge, pleading not guilty to criminal charges and being told the conditions of his house arrest. The man who enjoyed “a lavish lifestyle” is no longer allowed to travel abroad. But there was no sign of repentance or regret.

Manafort, 68, and his deputy Rick Gates have been indicted on 12 charges of conspiracy against the US, conspiracy to launder money, failing to register as a foreign agent, making false statements and failure to report offshore bank accounts. The indictments do not mention Trump or Russian meddling in the election.

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At about 2.45pm on Monday, Manafort and Gates appeared at an arraignment hearing US district court of the District of Columbia, with walking distance of the US Capitol and Trump International Hotel. Courtroom four was packed with journalists and onlookers, some of whom were reprimanded by ushers for using mobile phones.

The room hushed as Manafort appeared solemn and stony faced, wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and defiantly bright blue tie – not the colour of someone trying to remain anonymous. Gates had an open collar and no tie. They took their seats to the left of US magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson, who ran the hearing with brisk efficiency. Behind her were marble tiles and a “United States district court” seal.

Once it was agreed there was no need to read the indictment in court, Robinson asked how Manafort pleaded. His attorney, Kevin Downing, replied: “There is no plea, your honour.”

Robinson was puzzled and sought clarification. Downing explained: “The plea is not guilty to all of the charges.”

The lawyer added that Manafort “definitely disagrees with the strength of the indictment” against him.

Manafort remained impassive. Gates’s attorney made the same plea. Gates sat with his hand clasped in front of him on a table.

The judge heard that Manafort has given wildly varied estimates of his personal assets to investigators, ranging from $20m to $100m. Gates, likewise, has given his as between $30m and $2m. This had made it difficult to establish suitable bonds.

In the end, Manafort was freed on a $10m bond meant to guarantee his future court appearances. Gates’s bond was $5m. They will not have to pay the sums unless they violate the court’s directions. Under home confinement, they must check in with law enforcement daily by phone and are allowed out only for court appearances, to meet lawyers, for medical emergencies and for religious observance.

An official from pre-trial services requested “high-intensity supervision” for Manafort as he is considered a flight risk. Both of the accused have already surrendered their passports as they await trial.

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Sitting down, Manafort looked pensively around the room and across the table at Downing, who must have made a comment, because Manafort’s face melted into a rare smile. It was not the expression of a man who was rattled.

He rose to his feet and, ramrod-backed, raised his hand on oath. He was asked if he agreed to the conditions of his confinement and of the bond. He answered “I do,” twice. A status hearing will be held on 2 November.

Manafort left the courtroom as he had entered, hands folded behind his back. He potentially faces up to 80 years in prison, according to a review of the federal charges and the relevant statutes by the Associated Press. Gates faces up to 70 years.

Soon after, Downing appeared outside the court to issue a statement, mentioning Trump for the first time. “President Donald Trump was correct,” he said. “There is no evidence the Trump campaign colluded with the Russia government.



“Mr Manafort represented pro-European Union campaigns for the Ukrainians and in the course of that representation he was seeking to further democracy and to help the Ukrainians come closer to the United States and to the EU. Those activities ended in 2014, two years before Mr Manafort served in the Trump campaign.”

Downing added that he found it “ridiculous” that the Manafort’s use of offshore accounts amount to a scheme to conceal funds from the US government. Like his former employer, Manafort intends to keep fighting.