Day 12 of the Donald Trump hush money trial saw significant developments as prosecutors presented key evidence to jurors. Judge Juan Merchan warned Trump that he would face jail time if he continued to violate the gag order, which bars him from commenting on witnesses, court staff, or the jury. This warning came after Trump was found in contempt for the 10th time and fined $1,000.
Two longtime Trump Organization employees, Jeffrey McConney and Deborah Tarasoff, testified about the repayment of $420,000 to Michael Cohen, who had paid hush money to Stormy Daniels. McConney, the former controller, explained how he processed $35,000 invoices to Cohen as a reimbursement for the hush money payment. Tarasoff, an accounts payable employee, confirmed that she cut checks from Trump's personal account and sent them to Washington, DC, to be signed by Trump at the White House.
Prosecutors presented documents, including checks, invoices, and ledgers, to jurors, highlighting how the repayments were falsely recorded as legal expenses. McConney's testimony revealed that the $420,000 included a $60,000 bonus for Cohen and was to be paid in monthly $35,000 installments. He also acknowledged that expense reimbursements aren't taxable income, making the accounting method used questionable.
Trump's lawyer, Emil Bove, attempted to distance Trump from the paper trail, confirming with McConney that he never spoke to Trump about the payment structure for Cohen's reimbursement. However, McConney's testimony showed that Trump was involved in the repayment process, with his signature on the checks.
The trial has now entered its 12th day, with the New York district attorney's office estimating that they have about two weeks left of testimony in their case. The prosecution's focus on the paper trail and the involvement of Trump Organization employees in the repayment process has strengthened their case against Trump.
In a related development, Judge Merchan found Trump in contempt for violating the gag order, which has been a point of contention throughout the trial. Trump's repeated violations have resulted in fines, and the judge has now warned him of potential jail time if he continues to disregard the order.
The trial has captivated the nation, with many following the developments closely. The outcome will have significant implications for Trump and the presidency, as he faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal the hush money payments.
No comments:
Post a Comment