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Legal Peril Mounts as Trump Faces Indictment for Hush Money Cover-Up and Multiple Ongoing Investigations
Indictment of Former President Donald Trump
A Manhattan grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump on charges related to covering up hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The indictment and charges are under seal, and the arraignment date is yet to be confirmed.
Key Points
Trump faces potential charge of falsifying business records
Law professor Kim Wehle suggests Trump may be charged with a violation of New York penal code 175.10, which could result in up to four years in prison.
Trump asked to surrender, response uncertain
District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office has contacted Trump's attorney to coordinate his surrender for arraignment, but it is unclear whether Trump will comply.
Who are Prosecutors Speaking With?
Members of Trump’s inner circle, including his former political adviser Kellyanne Conway and former spokesperson Hope Hicks, have met with prosecutors in recent weeks.
Additional Investigations
Trump faces further scrutiny in ongoing criminal investigations, including a case in Fulton County, Georgia, related to his post-election pressure campaign; a Justice Department investigation into his role in the January 6 attack; and a separate Justice Department probe sparked by classified documents.
The New York case focuses on the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to suppress her allegations of an affair with Trump. Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels and was later reimbursed with $420,000. The Trump Organization falsely labeled the reimbursement as a retainer for legal services. Trump was indicted in March, and the case is being handled by District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr.
Other investigations include a Georgia case examining Trump and his allies' actions after the 2020 presidential election, pressuring state officials to reverse his loss. The Fulton County investigation, led by Fani Willis, is expected to make indictment decisions soon. Trump may or may not be charged with crimes like soliciting election fraud or giving false statements to government bodies.
The Department of Justice has two ongoing inquiries into Trump's potential criminal actions, led by Special Counsel Jack Smith. One investigation concerns Trump's handling of classified documents after his presidency, while the other examines his attempts to interfere with the 2020 election.