14/05/2024
On his first day of testimony, Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to Donald Trump, stated that Trump authorized the $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, to prevent her from going public about an alleged affair just before the 2016 presidential election. Cohen testified that this payment was intended to influence the outcome of the election by silencing Daniels' claims【5†source】【6†source】.
Cohen's testimony is a critical part of the case against Trump, who faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with the payments. Prosecutors argue that Trump directed Cohen to make the payment and then reimbursed him through the Trump Organization, falsely recording the reimbursement as legal expenses to conceal its true purpose.
Gary Farro, Cohen's banker, also testified that had the bank known the true nature of the payment, there would have been significant scrutiny and potential delays. He confirmed that Cohen used a home equity line of credit to fund the payment and created a shell company to facilitate the transfer.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denies the affair with Daniels. The trial continues with further testimonies and cross-examinations expected in the coming days....Show More....https://shorturl.at/cGPTU