In the criminal trial surrounding hush money payments from former US President Donald Trump to a porn actress, key witness Michael Cohen spoke about his role in suppressing negative reports. Cohen testified in Trump’s presence on Monday during the trial in New York.
Cohen worked with the former editor of a tabloid and ‘bought’ negative stories, as journalists present in court unanimously reported on Monday in New York.
Rights to negative stories have been bought up
The point was that “positive stories about Mr. Trump that would be helpful” were spread by him (Cohen, note) and David Pecker in the Trump-affiliated “National Enquirer.” On the other hand, he worked with Pecker to avoid negative reports accusing Trump of extramarital affairs. For this purpose, among other things, the rights to these stories were purchased without ever wanting to publish them.
Cohen thus confirmed Pecker’s statement from the end of April. Trump’s ex-lawyer is seen as a central figure in drawing a direct link between the now 77-year-old and hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels (pictured below).
By not illegally working with Pecker, the prosecutor wants to support her claim that Trump’s goal was to protect his campaign from negative press in order to have a better chance of voting in November 2016. This is intended to counter a possible defense argument going that Trump’s payment to porn star Daniels was simply to prevent harm to his family.
The prosecutor in New York accuses Trump of wanting to increase his chances of success in the 2016 presidential elections by paying $130,000 (about 120,000 euros) to porn actress Daniels. Although the payment itself was not illegal, Trump allegedly manipulated documents when reimbursing Cohen to conceal the true reason for the transaction.
Trump faces several years in prison
This is the first criminal trial of a former president in the history of the United States. Trump risks a prison sentence of several years, which may also be conditional, or a fine. The procedure could have an impact on the election campaign in the US. Trump, who wants to become US president again in November, has pleaded not guilty.
Source: Krone
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