Three lawyers representing Rick Gates, deputy chairman of the Trump campaign and Paul Manafort protégé, withdrew themselves from his case on Thursday:
Lawyers Shanlon Wu, Walter Mack and Annemarie McAvoy said in a two-page motion that they would explain the reasons for their abrupt move in documents filed under seal with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Gates has reached the point in his case at which he must decide whether or not to pursue a plea deal. The fact that three experienced trial attorneys want off the case, suggests that Gates may be pursuing a plea deal.
The judge has not granted these attorneys permission to withdraw from the case. Until that happens, they still represent him and must abide by the gag order.
Gates and Manafort have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, being an unregistered agent of a foreign principal, and making false statements.
Last week, CNN reported Gates had hired Tom Green, a well-known DC defense lawyer, and could be preparing to negotiate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
But Politico notes Green is not yet identified as Gates' representation.
Green has not filed a formal appearance in the court case, which as of Thursday still listed on the public docket Wu, Mack, McAvoy and a Washington D.C.-based federal public defender who appeared with Gates at his initial court pleading.
Lawyers for Rick Gates withdraw from Russia case (Politico)
Attorneys for Paul Manafort associate Rick Gates seek to withdraw from case (CBS News)