ALEXANDRIA, Va. Rick Gates , a political operative who worked on President Donald Trump s presidential campaign, admitted in federal court Monday that he committed crimes alongside former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort .

Gates, a former deputy campaign manager on the Trump campaign who has reached a plea deal with the special counsel team being led by Robert Mueller, testified that he helped Manafort cheat on his taxes and hide his foreign bank accounts from the government.

The 46-year-old father of four from Richmond is a key witness for the prosecution against Manafort. He will face decades behind bars if convicted.

Freshly shaved and dressed in a blue suit, Gates entered a packed courtroom to tell jurors that he engaged in a variety of crimes with Manafort, whom he said he first met as an intern at Manaforts former firm in the 1990s.

Gates testified that he was part of a conspiracy with Manafort to file false tax returns, hide foreign bank accounts and not register as a foreign agent.

Were you involved in any criminal activity with Mr. Manafort? prosecutor Greg Andres asked Gates.

Yes, Gates answered.

Did you commit any crimes with Mr. Manafort? the prosecutor asked.

Yes, Gates answered again.