PAUL MANAFORT/ROBERT MUELLER/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Former prosecutor Gene Rossi learned to expect lectures and humiliation when he appeared before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, who regularly ridiculed his arguments. But when Mr. Rossi returned several years ago from chemotherapy, Judge Ellis—after sternly summoning him to the bench—became tearful as he asked how Mr. Rossi was doing…Judge Ellis, who has served on the bench for more than 30 years, is soon to appear under a far brighter spotlight: He will oversee the July criminal trial of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort on charges of tax and bank fraud. Lawyers expect the judge to be a colorful presence, lecturing both sides, spinning tales that go far beyond the issues at hand, but ultimately issuing narrow rulings likely to withstand appeals. The July trial, the first in special counsel Robert Mueller’s wide-ranging investigation, could be pivotal to Mr. Mueller’s efforts, either heightening pressure on Mr. Manafort to cooperate if he is found guilty or serving as a major setback if he is acquitted.”
-Aruna Viswanatha, “At Mueller Probe’s First Trial, Expect More Blunt Lectures From the Bench,” The Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2018 8:00 am