On the 12th day of Donald Trump’s hush money trial, two new witnesses testified, just after the judge reprimanded him for violating the gag order. The former president was fined and warned about the possibility of jail time for further violations. The witnesses, a former Trump Organization executive and a current employee, revealed that large sums meant for alleged hush money payments to Michael Cohen came directly from Trump’s bank account. Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Despite pleading not guilty to all charges and denying having an affair with Daniels, Trump continues to face legal challenges and sanctions from the court.
At the start of the fourth week of the trial, the judge imposed a $1,000 fine on Trump for violating the gag order, in addition to previous fines. Merchan expressed reluctance at the idea of jailing the former president but emphasized the importance of adhering to court rules. Trump’s defiance outside the courtroom contrasts with his subdued demeanor during these proceedings, where he faced criticism from the judge for his actions. Trump’s lawyers have argued that he should be allowed to respond to critical statements made by Cohen, who is expected to testify in the case, and that he should have the right to defend himself, even as a presidential candidate.
The witnesses who testified on Monday described how the reimbursement process for Cohen was carried out. The former Trump Organization controller, Jeffrey McConney, authenticated invoices that showed payments to Cohen, which were falsely labeled as legal services. Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO, instructed McConney to send money to Cohen, who had used a home equity line of credit to pay Daniels. Testimony revealed that Cohen was repaid through checks logged as a “retainer agreement” for legal expenses, even though these were hush money payments to Daniels. The charges against Trump relate to falsified business records in the form of invoices, checks, and ledger entries tied to the hush money scheme.
Deborah Tarasoff, a current Trump Organization employee, authenticated checks and related documents that showed the payments made to Cohen. The organization was described as operating like a family business, with Trump, Weisselberg, and others authorized to approve expenses. A check from the alleged scheme was presented in court, showing a $70,000 payment to Cohen, signed by Eric Trump and Weisselberg. It was revealed that payments came from Trump’s personal account after reaching a total of $420,000, covering hush money reimbursements, annual bonuses, and tax funds. Trump’s personal involvement in signing off on payments was highlighted, with his signature serving as the final approval for any transactions.
The courtroom drama centered on the mechanics of the hush money payments, which were funneled through Trump’s organization and personal accounts. Witness testimony shed light on the intricacies of the reimbursement process for Cohen, who was involved in orchestrating the payments to Daniels. The legal implications of falsifying business records to conceal these payments were at the heart of the trial, with Trump facing scrutiny over his role in the scheme. Despite ongoing legal battles and potential jail time looming, Trump remained stoic in court, with the judge underscoring the importance of upholding the rule of law. As the trial continued, the focus was on uncovering the truth behind the hush money payments and holding those responsible for any wrongdoing accountable.
