Donald Trump indicted in New York for Stormy Daniels payment
(MENAFN) In a landmark indictment, a New York grand jury has voted to charge former President Donald trump for the first time in a criminal case. The charges stem from a scheme to cover up a sexual encounter that adult film star, Stormy Daniels, had with Mr Trump in 2006. The charges against the former president include a possible misdemeanour charge of falsifying business records, or a felony if falsifying records was intended to cover up a second crime, such as campaign finance offences.
In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, Michael Cohen, Mr Trump's former lawyer, paid $130,000 to Ms Daniels to stop her from publicly speaking about the affair. Mr Trump has denied the allegations, and legal experts expect that his legal team will try to move the criminal case from Manhattan to Staten Island to ensure a fair trial. However, defendants are not entitled to seek out juries based on specific characteristics they find more favourable.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has yet to reveal the number and nature of the charges Mr Trump faces. However, the indictment is an important moment for the US legal system and could have significant implications for the country's political landscape. The indictment of a former president is an unprecedented event and could set a precedent for future investigations of powerful politicians.
The news of the indictment has led to speculation about how it will impact Mr Trump's political ambitions. He is reportedly planning to run for president again in 2024, but this indictment could hinder his chances. Mr Trump has called the indictment an "act of blatant election interference" and maintains his innocence. He is expected to surrender to the Manhattan DA's office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment in the coming days.
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