Posted on 04/23/2024 9:06:34 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The first witness in Donald Trump's trial for alleged "criminal" bookkeeping errors came with National Enquirer-worthy titillations about what a hot commodity the former president was back in the day. Prosecutors thought they'd burst out of the gate with a little razzle-dazzle and T&A, hoping that jurors would believe the witness had anything to do with the actual charges in the case.
This is because — spoiler alert — the prosecutors' actual case is a "confusing" distraction. It's the "Seinfeld" of legal cases.
But since a Manhattan jury will likely convict the former president because Orange Man Bad, here's what happened in court with the opening witness on truncated court sessions Monday and Tuesday.
David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified that he worked with Trump's lawyer to kill stories that hurt Trump's reputation or would be hurtful to his wife and family. This is the so-called catch-and-kill scheme, wherein sources would approach the Enquirer with an unflattering story about Trump (this applies to Hollywood stars and big shots), offer money to the people telling it, and then make the story disappear.
And it went something like this:
All of the above is legal.
Reminder: A 2018 Letter from Michael Cohen’s lawyer to the FEC admits Cohen used his own personal funds to pay Stormy Daniels.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
There are checks for legal fees...I would note the same in my books...There should be invoices, too.
How can the doorman’s story not introduce reasonable doubt about what anybody’s motivations might be, beyond political cover?
Example...To my attorney....legal matters....
But here’s another question: what about the issue of falsifying business records?
The Manhattan District Attorney’s indictment appears to be focused on alleged violations of New York laws against falsifying business records.
As I try to understand it, Specifically, prosecutors seem to be alleging that Trump’s company records falsely characterized the reimbursements to Michael Cohen for the hush money payment in a way that covered up the true nature and purpose of the $130,000 expenditure.
The primary allegation is that Trump committed felony offenses under New York penal law by falsifying entries in the official books and records of his private business entities.
I don’t know how SERIOUS this alleged felony is if Bragg can prove it or what the punishment will be.
“If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with 🐂💩”
W.C. Fields
What else would a payment to your lawyer be, except “legal expenses”?
It’s the “Seinfeld” of legal cases.
Good comparison - a trial about nothing.
At https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/04/what-are-34-charges-trump/11595421002/ it says:
“The payments were recorded, but never filed with the Internal Revenue Service or the Federal Election Commission, Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
“They were never filed anywhere,” Tacopina said.”
I wonder how businesses who settle out-of-court to keep bad press away label those expenses. When Fox paid off Dominion did they call it “legal expenses”? Because if Daniels had not been kept quiet Trump would have to sue her for libel, which is definitely a legal expense but it would be much more expensive and less effective.
I wonder how the US government labels its hush money payments. Especially since the government is supposed to have open books. I wonder if the Congress-critters who have been helped by the govt hush fund report that as a campaign contribution from we the people, since they never pay it back.
In this state court, break out the books and show the entire, specific law that Trump is suspected of having broken.
Political skullduggery is not illegal in any state or in federal law. The whole idea of every campaign since caveman times is you try to demonize your opponent and edify yourself. Yes, it’s a blood sport, messy and uncomfortable but not illegal.
-PJ
Pecker has been describing the purpose and agreement for going on 2 full days now. I have no idea what the outcome will be, but there certainly appears to more to it than “nothing.”
The case and indictment have already been endorsed by the appellate court during Trump’s pretrial appeals. Those arguments have lost each time. That means the only avenue left is to complete the trial and then make whatever appeals are possible under your interpretation of the law.
Paying his bills?
I’m only surprised that the prosecutors haven’t charged Trump with not reporting a “payment in kind” for Pecker’s agreement to run or not run stories in the NE.
If Bragg’s office can prove the charges against Trump, he’s facing up to 4 years in state prison.
Will Trump be jailed if he were to appeal?
Don’t know, but doubt it in a case involving a former president.
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