NEW YORK — In opening statements in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial, prosecutors alleged Monday that the former president “orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt” the 2016 presidential election.
At the heart of the allegations is a $130,000 payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels by Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer, to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from surfacing in the final days of the race. Colangelo, senior counsel to the district attorney, told jurors that though the payments to Michael Cohen were labeled as legal fees pursuant to a retainer agreement, there was no retainer and there were no legal services. “The defendant falsified those business records because he wanted to conceal his and others’ criminal conduct,” he said.
“Good morning, jurors. We are about to proceed with the trial of the People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump,” said Judge Juan M. Merchan. Strict limits will be placed on what prosecutors can question Trump about regarding those cases, including prohibiting them from eliciting the amounts of the monetary penalties imposed, said Merchan.Judge Juan M. Merchan will allow the prosecution in Donald Trump's hush money case to introduce the notorious ‘Access Hollywood’ tape into evidence, but will not permit the showing of the actual video in court.
The juror showed up to court Monday and was questioned in the judge’s robing room, out of the view of the press, he said.Before heading into the courtroom Monday morning, Donald Trump addressed a camera in the hallway, once again saying that it’s “unfair” he has to be there, rather than out campaigning.“I’m here instead of being able to be in Pennsylvania and Georgia and lots of other places campaigning and it’s very unfair,” he said.
The former president left Trump Tower on Monday morning in his motorcade and walked straight inside the courthouse after arriving.New York state law regarding media coverage of court proceedings is one of the most restrictive in the country. But the New York prosecution has taken on added importance because it may be the only one of the four cases against Trump that reaches trial before the election.HERE'S WHO COULD BE CALLED TO TESTIFY
Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »