Former US President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on over 30 counts related to business fraud. Trump arrived in New York from Florida for his expected arraignment, with his mood described by an adviser as “defiant and focused.”
The Manhattan district attorney’s office investigates Trump’s alleged involvement in the Stormy Daniels hush money scheme
The investigation began with the Manhattan district attorney’s office looking into Trump’s alleged role in a scheme to pay adult-film actress Stormy Daniels hush money during the 2016 presidential campaign. The cover-up that followed landed the former president is now facing charges from a grand jury.
The specifics of the indictments have not been made public, however, he is expected to be formally charged after being booked by investigators. People are not able to watch live TV of the event, resulting in only five photographers taking pictures of Trump in the courtroom before the trial commences.
The statute of limitations may be used as defense
Trump’s legal team is preparing reports that suggest that the statute of limitations has expired and denying claims that he committed any false entries. They are planning to fight the case aggressively.
Judge Juan Merchan will preside over the case
Judge Juan Merchan will be presiding over this hearing, and it comes on the heels of his sentencing of Allen Weisselberg, a close confidant of Donald Trump.
Trump’s political advisers are discussing his plan on campaigning against this indictment
It is believed that Trump’s political advisers are already drawing up plans on how to best campaign off this “fraudulent” indictment through those who have presented it as part of a witch hunt.
Trump denies Stormy Daniels’ allegations
In 2006, adult film star Stormy Daniels alleges she had an intimate encounter with now-former President Donald Trump. The meeting took place a year after he married Melania and more than a decade before he became President. Trump has always denied the allegations, stating that $130,000 was paid for them not to be heard but rather because they were “false and extortionist accusations.”
Daniels signed a non-disclosure agreement in exchange for $130,000
Just before the 2016 presidential election, the adult-film actress signed an NDA that prohibited her from publicly discussing her relationship with Trump in exchange for $130,000.
The NDA was challenged by Stormy Daniels and resolved in 2018
The following year, however, Daniels’ attorney challenged the validity of the agreement, arguing that while Daniels had signed it, Trump did not. In response to this allegation, Trump’s lawyers acknowledged that their client did not sign the agreement.
Daniels sued Trump over defamation charges
A defamation lawsuit also followed in 2018 after Mr. Trump accused Daniels of running a con on him. However, the court later dismissed this lawsuit.
This indictment is a significant milestone as it makes Donald Trump the first current or former US president to face criminal charges. As such, it raises many questions about how the legal process will move forward and what impact it will have on American politics.
Trump is expected to face these charges head-on as he calls on his legal team to fight against these accusations made by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. With Judge Merchan presiding over much of this jury trail before him and his political advisers working hard behind the scenes to prepare their next moves, it remains unclear what lies ahead for Donald Trump in this latest legal battle involving Stormy Daniels.
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