What about statute of limitations? I thought the extension of the statute of limitations for that person being outside the jurisdiction is for people fleeing? Trump did not flee, and everyone knew where he was.
Apparently if the subject has been out of the jurisdiction of the court that the time absent is added to the time allowed to bring Federal charges.
You’re right, a lawyer was on the radio last night saying the statute of limitations can be overlooked if the person is fleeing arrest, not when his whereabouts are known.
The indictment itself identifies that date that the action underlying each and every count occurred. the latest are in 2017, i.e., over 5 years ago. I thought they might try to say that Trump’s tax returns were filed later, thus extending the SoL. But no counts relate to tax filings — just invoices from and and payments to Cohen.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I believe that the “extension because couldn’t serve a missing defendant” concept requires that an indictment exist that the DA was unable to serve, despite best efforts.
The killer fact here is that NO INDICTMENT EXISTED until a few days ago. Once an indictment was created, it took just a few days for Trump to turn himself in. If someone thinks a case for extending the statute of limitations can be made out of this, please explain how.
Exactly who was defrauded by characterizing payments to Trump’s attorney as legal expenses is not identified. Looks to me like the easiest case for dismissal ever. The judge should sanction Bragg and order him to pay all Trump’s costs.