On April 15, 2023, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg secured an indictment against former President Donald Trump, charging him with 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records regarding hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal.
Trump had reimbursed his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for payments made to Daniels. These reimbursements, totaling $420,000, included additional expenses, a bonus, and money to cover taxes. Prosecutors allege that these payments were funneled through the Trump Organization and misrepresented as legal fees, thus constituting falsified business records.
Legal expert Jonathan Turley suggested that New York Judge Juan Merchan might have made a significant error by permitting Bragg’s prosecution team, led by former Biden administration official Michael Colangelo, to imply that Trump violated federal election laws. Turley raised this concern on “Fox and Friends” with co-host Ainsley Earhardt, noting that this inference could impact the fairness of the trial.
“I have to say, I think this judge may have already committed reversible error,” Turley remarked. “He could try to correct it or change it in his instructions, but the jury has now been repeatedly told that there are federal election crimes involved, strongly suggesting that the payment to Stormy Daniels breached federal election laws. That simply isn’t accurate.”
Turley also discussed Michael Cohen’s expected testimony, noting that Cohen, a key witness for the prosecution, would be in a precarious position during the trial. Cohen is anticipated to testify that he orchestrated the arrangements for Trump and advised him on their legality.
Michael Cohen is essentially going to ask the jury to send his client to jail for following his legal advice,” Turley said. “All the arrangements in question were set up by him, and he told Trump, ‘We can do this.'”
“Michael Cohen is essentially going to ask the jury to send his client to jail for following his legal advice,” Turley said. “All the arrangements in question were set up by him, and he told Trump, ‘We can do this.'”
Turley described the situation as unusual and pointed out that Cohen’s role as a witness for the prosecution adds an intrigu only asked Merchan to fine Trump $1,000 per violation for now—the maximum fine allowed under state law—though they also suggested the judge warn future violations could be met with imprisonment,” the outlet added.
