U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson told Rick Gates — who faces criminal charges including money laundering and tax evasion as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation — that he had permission to attend sporting events with his children. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Judge: Manafort, Gates 'hold the keys' to their release from house arrest

Rick Gates, the former deputy for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, moved closer Thursday to his permanent release from house arrest and the constant demand to secure individual passes for every weekend and holiday getaway.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, in a one-paragraph order Thursday, told Gates — who faces criminal charges including money laundering and tax evasion as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation — that he had permission to attend sporting events this weekend for his children.


Jackson added that Gates would also no longer need to file individual requests each time he wanted to leave his home in Richmond, Virginia. But the judge did include a catch: Gates must first submit documentation showing he had the collateral to guarantee a $5 million bail package previously reached with Mueller’s office.

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A similar arrangement is also in place for Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman who, like Gates, faces a dozen charges in the Mueller inquiry. Jackson ruled in mid-December that Manafort’s house arrest was over, too, saying he could leave his condominium in Alexandria, Virginia, and relocate to another home in South Florida so long as he showed he had the financial support for a $10 million bail agreement.

Citing the Manafort deal, Jackson said in her Thursday order that both “defendants now hold the keys to their own release, and this should obviate the need for additional motions related to the details of their personal activities.”

Up to now, Gates through his lawyers has had to file individual requests to leave home confinement stretching back to his late October indictment with Manafort, though not all have been granted. While Jackson agreed to Gates’ request to attend a series of events around the Christmas holidays, she also turned down a late attempt to make changes so he could attend a different New Year’s celebration.

Jackson has also granted Gates’ request to travel overnight to Washington if the visits are specifically to meet with his lawyers. But she’s denied other requests for weekend events with his family, to drive his children to and from school and their extracurricular activities, and to travel and meet with prospective lobbying clients in Washington.

Both Manafort and Gates have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Manafort on Wednesday escalated his defense by filing a lawsuit against Mueller and the Justice Department that alleged the special counsel had overstepped his authority and should be removed from office.

Jackson has yet to schedule a trial date for Manafort and Gates, though a status hearing set for Jan. 16 may provide clarity on the next steps.

