Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo described the case as a “criminal conspiracy and a cover-up
Prosecutors at the criminal trial of former US President Donald Trump accused him of engaging in “election fraud” by paying hush money to a porn star just days before the 2016 White House vote.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo described the case as a “criminal conspiracy and a cover-up,” alleging that Trump orchestrated a scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election, according to AFP report.
According to Colangelo, Trump falsified business records to silence Stormy Daniels, a porn star, about a 2006 sexual encounter that could have impacted his bid for the presidency.
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During the trial, Trump, dressed in a dark blue suit, sat at the defense table while his lawyers listened to the prosecutor’s opening remarks. The case poses significant risks to Trump’s political future, as it unfolds less than seven months before his potential rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in the November election.
Prosecution witnesses are expected to include Stormy Daniels and Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, who allegedly arranged the payment to the adult film actress. However, Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, maintained that Trump did not commit any crimes and criticized the Manhattan DA’s decision to bring the case, labeling it a “Biden witch hunt.”
The trial will keep Trump in court for four days a week over a potentially six-to-eight-week period. He faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursements made to Cohen for the $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels.
Blanche attacked the credibility of Cohen and Daniels, highlighting Cohen’s past convictions and Daniels’ financial gain from the situation. Trump has separately been indicted on charges related to the 2020 election results and hoarding secret documents after leaving office, although those cases have faced delays due to legal challenges.
Judge Juan Merchan has maintained a tight schedule for the trial, and Trump has criticized the case and a partial gag order imposed by Merchan. Security measures have been heightened after a man set himself on fire outside the courthouse last week.
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