1st LD: Former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates pleads guilty in Russia probe

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates pleaded guilty to charges of federal conspiracy and false statements on Friday in the ongoing Russia inquiry led by special counsel Robert Muller.

Gates, 45, of Richmond, Virginia, appeared at the federal courthouse in Washington for a plea agreement hearing Friday afternoon.

According to a court filing revealed earlier in the day, Gates pleaded to charges of conspiracy against the United States and making false statements to FBI investigators.

Gates' plea comes a day after he and his longtime business associate, Paul Manafort, were indicted in Virginia on new charges of tax evasion and bank fraud. Enditem