Trump’s former attorney and personal fixer is expected to take the stand as soon as today
Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen expected to testify in hush-money trial
Here is a reminder of the key players in Donald Trump’s hush-money criminal trial:
Donald Trump, defendant: the Republican nominee for president is the defendant in the case. Prosecutors allege that he orchestrated a $130,000 payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels when she threatened to go public with allegations of an affair on the eve of the 2016 election, and then conspired with others to cover up the payment.
Michael Cohen, key witness: Cohen was once a lawyer for Trump and one of the former president’s most loyal lieutenants and enforcers. He facilitated the payment to Daniels, funnelling the $130,000 to her through a shell company called Essential Consultants LLC. Trump later arranged to pay him back in monthly payment instalments of $35,000.
Stormy Daniels, key witness: Daniels, an adult film star, says she met Trump in 2006 at a celebrity golf tournament. Daniels was 27 at the time and Trump was 60. Just before the 2016 election, Daniels said she was approached by Cohen, Trump’s lawyer at the time, and offered $130,000 not to disclose the alleged affair.
David Pecker, key witness: Pecker was a key Trump ally who served as the CEO of American Media Inc (AMI), the publisher of the National Enquirer. Pecker helped Trump by purchasing the rights to potentially damaging stories and then never publishing them, a practice known as “catch and kill”.
Allen Weisselberg, key figure: Weisselberg is the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization. He worked for the company for more than 50 years, and has refused to turn on Trump even as he has been sentenced to prison twice. He played a key role in concealing the purpose of Trump’s payments to Cohen, according to the indictment.
Continue reading…Trump’s former attorney and personal fixer is expected to take the stand as soon as todayTrump’s former fixer Michael Cohen expected to testify in hush-money trialHere is a reminder of the key players in Donald Trump’s hush-money criminal trial:Donald Trump, defendant: the Republican nominee for president is the defendant in the case. Prosecutors allege that he orchestrated a $130,000 payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels when she threatened to go public with allegations of an affair on the eve of the 2016 election, and then conspired with others to cover up the payment.Michael Cohen, key witness: Cohen was once a lawyer for Trump and one of the former president’s most loyal lieutenants and enforcers. He facilitated the payment to Daniels, funnelling the $130,000 to her through a shell company called Essential Consultants LLC. Trump later arranged to pay him back in monthly payment instalments of $35,000.Stormy Daniels, key witness: Daniels, an adult film star, says she met Trump in 2006 at a celebrity golf tournament. Daniels was 27 at the time and Trump was 60. Just before the 2016 election, Daniels said she was approached by Cohen, Trump’s lawyer at the time, and offered $130,000 not to disclose the alleged affair.David Pecker, key witness: Pecker was a key Trump ally who served as the CEO of American Media Inc (AMI), the publisher of the National Enquirer. Pecker helped Trump by purchasing the rights to potentially damaging stories and then never publishing them, a practice known as “catch and kill”.Allen Weisselberg, key figure: Weisselberg is the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization. He worked for the company for more than 50 years, and has refused to turn on Trump even as he has been sentenced to prison twice. He played a key role in concealing the purpose of Trump’s payments to Cohen, according to the indictment. Continue reading…