I Was a Skeptic of the Stormy Daniels Prosecution. I Was Wrong.
9 months ago

I Was a Skeptic of the Stormy Daniels Prosecution. I Was Wrong.

Slate  

When Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought criminal charges against Donald Trump in 2023, I was highly skeptical of his decision. It now seems clear that Trump’s New York trial, slated to begin this week, will be the former president’s only criminal trial before the November election. The falsification of business records is, by itself, a misdemeanor under New York law, but it’s a felony when it’s done with the “intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.” In his indictment, Bragg claims that Trump lied about the payments with the intent to violate election law, which is what elevates the crime to a felony. Really, the only half-plausible argument that Trump could mount in opposition was that the Federal Election Campaign Act somehow preempted the use of New York’s own statutes to punish election-related record-keeping fraud, meaning he would be liable only for misdemeanor record-keeping violations. Two different judges rejected this claim: Juan Merchan, who’s overseeing the state trial, and Alvin K. Hellerstein, who shot down Trump’s short-lived play to remove the whole case to federal court.

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History of this topic

Trump makes shocking claim about Alvin Bragg ahead of hush money case sentencing, ‘Biden/Harris DOJ forced Bragg to…’
1 week, 2 days ago

Trump makes shocking claim about Alvin Bragg ahead of hush money case sentencing, ‘Biden/Harris DOJ forced Bragg to…’

Hindustan Times  

Ahead of a January 10 sentencing in Donald Trump’s New York hush money case, the president-elect made a shocking claim: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg “never wanted to bring” the case against him. Donald Trump makes shocking claim about Alvin Bragg ahead of hush money case sentencing “D.A. The judge suggested Trump would instead receive an “unconditional discharge.” Trump claimed …

In "devastating" brief, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg says Trump's felony convictions should be upheld
5 months, 3 weeks ago

In "devastating" brief, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg says Trump's felony convictions should be upheld

Salon  

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is urging Judge Juan Merchan to reject Donald Trump's appeal of his hush money conviction, arguing that the former president's conduct is not protected by the Supreme Court granting him immunity for his official duties. "The criminal charges here, by contrast, exclusively stem from defendant's 'unofficial acts' — conduct for which 'there is no immunity," …

Trump found guilty on all counts in first-ever criminal trial of a former president
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump found guilty on all counts in first-ever criminal trial of a former president

Raw Story  

A New York City jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on several counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments ahead of the 2016 presidential records, according to breaking reports. Trump's sentencing is scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. Trump maintained his innocence throughout the six-week trial that saw a former fixer, adult film star, and …

Trump trial reaches its end game
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump trial reaches its end game

Raw Story  

NEW YORK — The historic trial of Donald Trump enters its final act Tuesday, with closing arguments to the jury who must then decide whether to hand down the first ever criminal conviction of a former U.S. president. Speaking to reporters before and after each day in court, Trump launched regular tirades against Judge Juan Merchan — calling him "corrupt" …

Trump trial: Michael Cohen's cross-examination brings biggest weakness of Trump's defense into view.
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Trump trial: Michael Cohen's cross-examination brings biggest weakness of Trump's defense into view.

Slate  

Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trump’s first criminal trial here. Bragg’s prosecution team immediately objected, and Justice Juan Merchan sustained the objection, but not before Cohen could demurely respond, “Sounds like something I would do.” Blanche kept on this track, though, asking Cohen if he had also insulted Trump attorney Susan Necheles. The strongest moment in questioning came when …

Stormy Daniels finishes combative cross-examination: Key takeaways from Trump trial day 14
8 months ago

Stormy Daniels finishes combative cross-examination: Key takeaways from Trump trial day 14

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Making me the best person to flush the orange turd down.” “Pretty sure that …

Stormy Daniels’ Trump trial cross-examination could double as a class in how the law mistreats women.
8 months ago

Stormy Daniels’ Trump trial cross-examination could double as a class in how the law mistreats women.

Slate  

Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trump’s first criminal trial here. It is a bit absurd to me that Trump’s defense team would even want to veer into the territory of asking anything along the lines of “But actually ma’am, did our client rape you?”—and yet, that was the road Necheles ended up going down, again trying to catch Daniels …

Stormy Daniels 'unflappable' in face of hostile Trump lawyers: legal reporter
8 months ago

Stormy Daniels 'unflappable' in face of hostile Trump lawyers: legal reporter

Raw Story  

Former President Donald Trump's attorneys on Thursday tried to get under adult film star Stormy Daniels' skin -- but legal reporter Adam Klasfeld says that those efforts were largely unsuccessful. While watching Daniels undergo hostile cross-examination during the former president's Manhattan hush-money trial, Klasfeld observed that "Daniels is a lot more confident, wry, and controlled during this cross-examination than when …

Law Professor Shows How New Trump Trial Tactic Could Backfire In 2 Big Ways
8 months ago

Law Professor Shows How New Trump Trial Tactic Could Backfire In 2 Big Ways

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING New York University law professor Ryan Goodman on Wednesday explained how an expected change in tactics from Donald Trump’s legal team in his hush money trial could ultimately backfire on the former president. CNN’s Erin Burnett noted how Trump’s attorneys are reportedly considering conducting a more intense and thorough cross-examination of porn actor Stormy Daniels when the …

Trump’s lawyer presses Stormy Daniels on day 14 of hush money trial
8 months, 1 week ago

Trump’s lawyer presses Stormy Daniels on day 14 of hush money trial

Al Jazeera  

Defence team questions adult film star over hush money payment at heart of case against former US president. Donald Trump’s defence team has finished its cross-examination of adult film star Stormy Daniels, the most high-profile witness to testify so far in the former United States president’s New York criminal trial. No knowledge of business records In the New York hush …

CNN Legal Analyst Spots ‘Disastrous’ Moment For Prosecutors In Trump Trial
8 months, 1 week ago

CNN Legal Analyst Spots ‘Disastrous’ Moment For Prosecutors In Trump Trial

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig on Tuesday explained why he believes the cross-examination of Stormy Daniels in Donald Trump’s hush money case didn’t go so well for the prosecution. Daniels’ testimony on the stand about their alleged sexual encounter was “plausible,” acknowledged former assistant U.S. attorney Honig. Her responses were disastrous.” Daniels’ admission that she hates …

Here is what Stormy Daniels testified happened between her and Donald Trump
8 months, 1 week ago

Here is what Stormy Daniels testified happened between her and Donald Trump

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Porn actor Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money case against Donald Trump, who looked on as she detailed their alleged sexual encounter and the payment she got to keep it quiet. Stormy Daniels testifies in Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in New York, about the encounter in former President Donald …

Here is what Stormy Daniels testified happened between her and Donald Trump
8 months, 1 week ago

Here is what Stormy Daniels testified happened between her and Donald Trump

LA Times  

In this courtroom sketch, defense attorney Susan Necheles cross-examines Stormy Daniels during former President Trump’s hush money trial in Manhattan. Before Daniels took the stand, Trump’s lawyers had tried to stop her from testifying about the encounter’s details, saying it was irrelevant in “a case about books and records.” Prosecutors countered that Daniels’ testimony gets at what Trump was trying …

'Big deal': Ex-prosecutor says Trump just made criminal court history in hush money trial
8 months, 2 weeks ago

'Big deal': Ex-prosecutor says Trump just made criminal court history in hush money trial

Raw Story  

Former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin Tuesday took a harsh view of the contempt order handed down by Manhattan criminal court judge Juan Merchan to former President Donald Trump. "I think it is historic and I think we need to pause and recognize what a big deal this," Toobin told a CNN panel Tuesday night. Trump has not been convicted in …

Trump criminal trial: How the former president’s tendency to act like a mob boss is being revealed.
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump criminal trial: How the former president’s tendency to act like a mob boss is being revealed.

Slate  

Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trump’s first criminal trial here. In previous testimony in Trump’s civil fraud trial, Cohen described Trump as directing his minions much like a “mob boss.” Daniels has asserted that she and her daughter were threatened to keep quiet about her affair with Trump as far back in 2011, by someone she said she assumed …

'Side with the liberals': Experts predict surprise opponent to Trump's SCOTUS case
8 months, 2 weeks ago

'Side with the liberals': Experts predict surprise opponent to Trump's SCOTUS case

Raw Story  

Donald Trump could be facing a rebuke from one of the Supreme Court’s most conservative justices — and one that he appointed to the bench. And they say the right-wing jurist’s questions suggest she thinks Trump should be standing trial in special counsel Jack Smith’s election interference case against him. "I don't think you'd get a majority completely siding with …

Trump trial revealing new evidence: What the lawyer who brokered the Stormy Daniels deal knew.
55 years ago

Trump trial revealing new evidence: What the lawyer who brokered the Stormy Daniels deal knew.

Slate  

Now that the parties have each given their opening statements in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, we finally have the answer to the head-scratching question I raised in Slate last week: What is the overall theory of the defense? In today’s opening remarks, Trump attorney Todd Blanche naturally reminded the jurors of the heavy burden prosecutors have in proving …

Column: The hush money trial has only just begun, but it’s not a good look for Candidate Trump
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Column: The hush money trial has only just begun, but it’s not a good look for Candidate Trump

LA Times  

Former President Trump addressed the media as he arrived for the second day of jury selection in his criminal trial in Manhattan. The first criminal trial of a former U.S. president hadn’t started this week, and already Donald Trump found himself behind bars. Opinion Calmes: Donald Trump inspires yet another profile in cowardice One after another, American institutions have spinelessly …

Trump’s Lead-Off Trial Will Determine If He Illegally Cheated To Win In 2016
9 months ago

Trump’s Lead-Off Trial Will Determine If He Illegally Cheated To Win In 2016

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON ― Would Donald Trump ever have become president if he hadn’t paid off porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet in the days before the 2016 election? Judge Juan Merchan’s first sentence of a 223-word summary describing the case to jurors reads: “The allegations are, in substance, that Donald Trump falsified business records to conceal …

How a hush money scandal tied to a porn star led to Trump’s first criminal trial
9 months ago

How a hush money scandal tied to a porn star led to Trump’s first criminal trial

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — It was the kind of tawdry tale that Donald Trump might have relished before politics: a porn actor claiming they had had sex. The district attorney’s office was so unsure about the hush money case that it became known among prosecutors as the “zombie case.” They would revisit it, then abandon it again as they pursued Trump …

'Reprehensible': Hush money prosecutor demands stricter gag order against Trump
9 months, 2 weeks ago

'Reprehensible': Hush money prosecutor demands stricter gag order against Trump

Raw Story  

The prosecutor in former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money case Monday demanded a stricter gag order to clamp down on his "dangerous, violent, and reprehensible rhetoric," court records show. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg filed his motion to New York City Justice Juan Merchan, whose daughter has been the subject of repeated attacks from Trump on his social media …

Stormy Daniels: Judge allows adult film star’s testimony in Donald Trump’s hush-money case
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Stormy Daniels: Judge allows adult film star’s testimony in Donald Trump’s hush-money case

Live Mint  

Donald Trump lost his bid to prevent testimony from a porn star and a Playboy model at the former president’s criminal trial in New York, where he’s accused of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments before the 2016 election. State court judge Juan Merchan ruled Monday that adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal can be …

The Trump Trial With the Wrong Prosecutor but the Right Judge
10 months ago

The Trump Trial With the Wrong Prosecutor but the Right Judge

Slate  

District Attorney Fani Willis will be able to continue in her RICO prosecution of former President Donald Trump and his associates, the judge in that case ruled on Friday, when he rejected the argument that she be disqualified from the case over allegations of a conflict of interest stemming from a romantic relationship with a co-prosecutor. Instead, he chastised Willis …

Michael Cohen spotted entering the D.A.'s office as Stormy Daniels hush money trial nears
11 months, 1 week ago

Michael Cohen spotted entering the D.A.'s office as Stormy Daniels hush money trial nears

Raw Story  

Former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen was spotted walking into the offices of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg late last week, a source present there — who requested their name be withheld to speak freely about the scene — told Raw Story. And it further fuels speculation that the 34-count Stormy Daniels hush money case, in which Bragg alleges Trump …

Why Trump would be wise to let Stormy Daniels case go to trial quickly: legal expert
1 year ago

Why Trump would be wise to let Stormy Daniels case go to trial quickly: legal expert

Raw Story  

Donald Trump's legal team has been attempting to stall various legal proceedings against him, but an expert said the former president would be wise to allow one of them to proceed. But MSNBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos told "Morning Joe" that Trump would be smart to go ahead and face trial in Manhattan. "It might be a best-case scenario for …

Trump trials update: Donald Trump’s No Good, Very Bad Week
1 year, 2 months ago

Trump trials update: Donald Trump’s No Good, Very Bad Week

Slate  

Keeping up with Trump’s court schedule is a dizzying task, since he faces two federal trials, a criminal trial in Georgia, and two separate civil and criminal trials in New York. Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro took plea deals Two of Trump’s former attorneys accepted plea deals for charges brought by Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis in her 2020 election …

Trump election interference case: What happens next?
1 year, 5 months ago

Trump election interference case: What happens next?

Al Jazeera  

Former US president has pleaded not guilty to charges, but case could affect his 2024 re-election campaign. Trump, who has denied all wrongdoing, remains the top Republican contender in the 2024 presidential nomination race, and the election case is expected to create further scheduling headaches as the break-neck GOP primary season approaches. Here’s what happens next in Trump’s election interference …

Opinion: Despite E. Jean Carroll's rape testimony and more, Trump’s up in the polls. How can that be?
1 year, 8 months ago

Opinion: Despite E. Jean Carroll's rape testimony and more, Trump’s up in the polls. How can that be?

LA Times  

E. Jean Carroll arrives this week at the Manhattan federal courthouse for her civil lawsuit, in which she accuses Donald Trump of battery and defamation. It’s true, of course, that he hasn’t yet been convicted of anything; Carroll’s sexual assault allegations are for the moment just allegations, as are the New York grand jury’s 34 felony counts. Politics Trump charged …

Donald Trump Probably Should Not Have Been Charged With (This) Felony
1 year, 9 months ago

Donald Trump Probably Should Not Have Been Charged With (This) Felony

Slate  

Based on what I have seen so far, the decision to charge Donald Trump with felonies in New York state is a mistake both legally and politically. Back in 2018, I wrote at Slate that Donald Trump’s payments of hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her from speaking and hurting his 2016 U.S. presidential chances was …

The Trump Indictment Is Not the Slam-Dunk Case Democrats Wanted
1 year, 9 months ago

The Trump Indictment Is Not the Slam-Dunk Case Democrats Wanted

Slate  

The indictment against Donald Trump was finally unsealed in Justice Juan Merchan’s Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, with the former president present to deliver his plea of “not guilty.” It charges Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a felony under New York law. A statement of facts released by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirms …

'Serious criminal conduct': Alvin Bragg says Trump charged over three hush-money schemes
1 year, 9 months ago

'Serious criminal conduct': Alvin Bragg says Trump charged over three hush-money schemes

Raw Story  

New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg addressed the press after Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan court for his arrangement. The one on the left shows the $130,000 hush money payment with an arrow down to "34 counts of falsifying business records, checks, invoices and general ledger entries." It violated New York State election laws, he explained and while he …

The Big Problem With the Trump Indictment
1 year, 9 months ago

The Big Problem With the Trump Indictment

Slate  

Donald Trump was indicted on Thursday, according to a report in the New York Times, for his role in a hush money scheme prior to the 2016 election. The vote to indict, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, indicates that a grand jury found probable cause that Trump committed an offense, which must now be proved to a jury, …

Manhattan DA insiders fear Trump may skate if indicted for Stormy Daniels payments: report
1 year, 9 months ago

Manhattan DA insiders fear Trump may skate if indicted for Stormy Daniels payments: report

Raw Story  

Former President Donald Trump has still not been indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for making hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, but sources within the office tell The Daily Beast that they fear there won't be enough to convict him if they do bring charges in this case. One source tells the publication that the Manhattan …

Not just Stormy Daniels: Here are all the ongoing criminal investigations Trump faces
1 year, 9 months ago

Not just Stormy Daniels: Here are all the ongoing criminal investigations Trump faces

NPR  

Not just Stormy Daniels: Here are all the ongoing criminal investigations Trump faces Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images The criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump was already historic. The investigation by the Manhattan district attorney, related to hush money payments made in 2016 to the adult film star Stormy Daniels, is one of …

'Stormy Daniels matters': Analyst criticizes claims that Trump indictment is much ado about nothing
1 year, 9 months ago

'Stormy Daniels matters': Analyst criticizes claims that Trump indictment is much ado about nothing

Raw Story  

As former President Donald Trump faces potential indictment by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over a $130,000 hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to cover up their alleged affair, his defenders are arguing that the indictment is political targeting over a minor offense. Even former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been critical of his former boss and …

Trump ally to appear before US grand jury eyeing charges
1 year, 9 months ago

Trump ally to appear before US grand jury eyeing charges

Al Jazeera  

Robert Costello will raise questions about the account of key witness Michael Cohen in the hush money case, reports say. The New York probe centres on a $130,000 payment that Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer, said was made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the waning days of the former president’s 2016 campaign. Trump said on Monday that …

'Hard to imagine' Trump won't be indicted based on publicly available evidence: legal expert
1 year, 9 months ago

'Hard to imagine' Trump won't be indicted based on publicly available evidence: legal expert

Raw Story  

MSNBC's Andrew Weissman believes Donald Trump almost certainly will face charges in New York for an alleged hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The former federal prosecutors told "Morning Joe" that Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. would not have empaneled a grand jury, called witnesses and presented evidence if he had no intention of indicting the …

Trump lashes out as grand jury to hear evidence on porn star payoff scheme
1 year, 11 months ago

Trump lashes out as grand jury to hear evidence on porn star payoff scheme

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump lashed out at the Manhattan district attorney and …

Legal expert explains the specific crime under investigation in Manhattan Trump probe
1 year, 11 months ago

Legal expert explains the specific crime under investigation in Manhattan Trump probe

Raw Story  

Former President Donald Trump is facing renewed legal jeopardy in New York, as The New York Timesreports that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg convenes a grand jury related to the hush payments the former president arranged his one-time attorney and fixer Michael Cohen to transmit to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Speaking to MSNBC's Chris Jansing on Monday, former federal …

Trump nearly got charged in Stormy Daniels case -- here's why prosecutors backed down
1 year, 11 months ago

Trump nearly got charged in Stormy Daniels case -- here's why prosecutors backed down

Raw Story  

Federal prosecutors considered charging Donald Trump on his way out of office over hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, according to a new book. Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York found substantial evidence against Trump during their investigation, which resulted in charges against his former attorney Michael Cohen in 2018, but did not consider charging …

Lawyer: Trump’s delay moves over taxes harms probe of others
4 years, 5 months ago

Lawyer: Trump’s delay moves over taxes harms probe of others

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump’s efforts to stall the release of his personal and corporate taxes to a New York state grand jury is jeopardizing the criminal probe of other individuals and entities and could “kill this case,” an attorney told a judge Thursday in urging fast action. “It isn’t just about the president,” attorney Carey Dunne said of …

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