Donald Trump was accused of committing fraud – falsifying business records in the first degree – in connection to the $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This scheme involved Trump’s company classifying the repayment to his fixer, Michael Cohen, as legal expenses, citing a retainer agreement that wasn’t in existence. The charges for the former President include 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, which could result in a maximum prison sentence of four years per count.
The National Enquirer, which has long standing ties to Trump, was also linked to three hush money deals, and prosecutors filed a statement of facts that referenced these deals. The first involved a $30,000 payment to a former Trump Tower doorman who had claimed to know information regarding Trump’s fathering of a child out of wedlock. The second was a $150,000 agreement with Playboy’s playmate of the year, Karen McDougal for the rights to her story about an affair with Trump during the 2016 campaign. The details of these deals suggest that this was more than a one-off payment to Stormy Daniels.
This case is being handled by District Attorney, Alvin Bragg and his office, who must prove that Trump’s “intent to defraud” was in service of a second crime. They are able to elevate the charges to felonies with out charging Trump with any other offenses, though they have yet to declare any secondary crime specifically.
Trump has entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. He will remain out of jail during the proceedings although he may need to post bail or provide some sort of security.
It is important to note that while the maximum sentence for the alleged crimes is four years per count, in a case such as this, it is probably unlikely that a judge would impose the maximum.
