Felony charges facing Donald Trump infographic
Graphic shows when the 34 felonies are alleged to have occurred.
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CRIME

Trump’s felony charges for sex scandal hush-money scheme

By Ninian Carter

April 5, 2023 - The Manhattan District Attorney has indicted Donald Trump on 34 counts of falsifying New York business records in order to conceal damaging information from voters during the 2016 election campaign.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L Bragg, Jr has indicted former President Donald Trump on 34 counts of falsifying New York business records. In an April 4 filing, Bragg notes:

1. The defendant DONALD J. TRUMP repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election.

2. From August 2015 to December 2017, the Defendant orchestrated a scheme with others to influence the 2016 presidential election by identifying and purchasing negative information about him to suppress its publication and benefit the Defendant’s electoral prospects. In order to execute the unlawful scheme, the participants violated election laws and made and caused false entries in the business records of various entities in New York. The participants also took steps that mischaracterised, for tax purposes, the true nature of the payments made in furtherance of the scheme.

While falsifying business records in New York on its own is a misdemeanour, punishable by up to one year in prison, it is elevated to a felony, punishable by up to four years in jail, when done to advance or conceal another crime – such as election law violations.

Trump, who appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on April 4, is accused of covering up a potential sex scandal involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels, during the 2016 election.

A second woman, believed to be former Playboy model Karen McDougal, is mentioned in background documents as having received a payment on Trump’s behalf as well.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts on the indictment.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 05/04/2023; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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