Former president and current presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on charges related to hush money payments made in 2017 to an adult film actress who claimed to have had an affair with the former president years earlier. The historic indictment marks the first time a former US president has faced criminal charges. We answered some of the most FAQs:
Q: What is the background of this case?
A: In the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump years earlier. The payment was meant to prevent Daniels from going public with her story before the election.
Q: What has Donald Trump been charged with?
A: Former President Trump has been indicted by a New York grand jury on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, in violation of Penal Law §175.10," according to the indictment, related to the Stormy Daniels hush money payment.
Q: What are the specific allegations?
A: "The defendant… on or about February 14, 2017, with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise, to wit, an entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust… and kept and maintained by the Trump Organization," the indictment states, essentially accusing Trump of falsifying records at the Trump Organization to conceal reimbursements made to Cohen for facilitating the hush money payment to Daniels.
Q: Why is falsifying business records considered a crime in this case?
A: Prosecutors allege the falsified records were an effort to cover up a violation of federal campaign finance laws by failing to properly disclose the reimbursements as a campaign expense. Thus, according to prosecutors, Trump violated New York's financial laws in order to commit a federal felony by not reporting funds that were serving his election bid.
Q: Is this an unprecedented case?
A: Yes, Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges.
Q: What are the potential consequences if convicted?
A: In New York, falsifying business records carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison. However, defendants without prior records rarely get maximum sentences for this low-level felony.
Q: What potential outcomes could arise from the indictment?
A: Possible outcomes include an acquittal if convicted, a plea deal with lesser charges, or a conviction that could jeopardize Trump's future political ambitions and ability to run for president again in 2024. The case could also face appeals and protracted legal battles.
In summary, the indictment stems from the 2017 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels and charges Trump with falsifying business records at the Trump Organization to cover up the reimbursements to his lawyer for that payment. While unprecedented for a former president, the charges are low-level felonies, but a conviction could carry significant political and legal consequences for Trump.
