The third week of the criminal trial involving Donald Trump’s hush money scheme and business fraud is set to resume, with the Manhattan district attorney’s office maintaining secrecy regarding their planned approach. Prosecutors are expected to continue questioning Michael Cohen’s former banker, with additional witnesses likely to take the stand. The prosecution has been cautious in revealing their witness order, citing Trump’s unpredictable public comments as a reason. Judge Juan Merchan has not yet ruled on whether to hold Trump in contempt for violating a gag order prohibiting him from publicly discussing trial witnesses and related matters.
Prosecutors have requested a $1,000 fine for each of the 14 alleged violations by Trump in his public comments and social media posts, primarily targeting key trial witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. They have also sought Merchan to warn Trump of potential jail time if he continues to violate the gag order. Merchan has heard arguments on some of the violations and has scheduled a hearing to address the remaining alleged violations. Despite the sensational allegations against Trump involving affairs and hush money payments, the trial is expected to focus heavily on detailed documents tied to falsifying business records.
The trial is anticipated to involve detailed documentation and financial records, with Gary Farro, Cohen’s former banker, expected to provide insight into the paperwork related to the charges Trump is facing. Trump has maintained his innocence and denied the alleged affairs. Farro’s testimony is likely to shed light on the paper trail involving a home equity line of credit used by Cohen to execute the payment to Daniels. Testimony last week revealed the creation of a shell company and bank account by Cohen that was intended for payments related to another affair story but was never utilized. Instead, the funds were directed towards Essential Consultants, which facilitated the hush money payment to Daniels.
Former tabloid publisher David Pecker testified extensively last week, detailing the relationship between American Media Inc. and Trump in the lead-up to the 2016 election, with Cohen acting as Trump’s intermediary. Trump’s long-time assistant, Rhona Graff, also testified, recalling an encounter with Daniels at Trump’s office years before the election. Contact entries in the Trump Organization system for Daniels and another woman were presented during Graff’s testimony, indicating the involvement of Trump in communication with the women. Graff’s legal representation is financed by Trump, adding another layer of complexity to the trial proceedings.
