Donald Trump: First Ex-President Indicted For A Criminal Offense

Donald Trump: First Ex-President Indicted For A Criminal Offense

Updated on March 31, 2023 10:49 AM by Andrew Koschiev

Although the charges remained sealed Thursday, they focused on payments made to silence allegations of extramarital sexual encounters during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump may surrender early next week, according to prosecutors. If convicted, they will not seek prison time, but Trump cannot run for office. 
 
After years of investigations into Trump's personal, political, and business dealings, this indictment injects the local district attorney's office into an intense national presidential race. It leads to criminal proceedings for the former president in his hometown. In a time of deep political division, the charges are more likely to reinforce than reshape conflicting perspectives among those who see accountability as long overdue and those who believe a Democratic prosecutor is pursuing a political agenda against Trump.

Trump's Security Process

(Image Credits: CNN)

The indictment has been called "political persecution" by Trump, who denies wrongdoing and argues it will hurt Democrats in 2024. The defense lawyers say Trump didn't commit any crimes. We intend to fight these allegations vigorously. As a result of the indictment, prosecutors have contacted Trump's defense team to arrange a surrender. Two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Trump's lawyers requested more time as the Secret Service prepared security measures. Trump is expected to surrender early next week, according to the people, who could not publicly discuss security details.

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When Did The Criminal Charges File?

On Thursday evening, Alvin Bragg left work without comment. In 2016, Trump's celebrity past collided with his political ambitions, causing widespread allegations. His fear that Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal would reveal claims of extramarital sexual encounters with him led prosecutors to examine money paid to them for months. According to news reports, criminal charges were likely weeks away, so Trump campaign officials appeared surprised by the indictment's timing. In the morning, the former president filmed an interview with a conservative commentator at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate.

Cy Vance Began The Investigation

When Bragg's office invited Trump to testify before the grand jury probing the hush money scheme in early March, they signaled they were close to filing charges. Grand juries in New York must notify defendants and invite them to appear before them. Trump, however, declined. During Trump's presidency, the investigation started with Cy Vance, Bragg's predecessor. 
 
The payment was to silence Daniels from talking about an alleged affair she had with Trump ten years earlier by making a $130,000 payment to Michael Cohen, Trump's then-personal attorney. Trump denied the affair. Daniels' payment and Cohen's reimbursement are at issue in the investigation. To cover Cohen's $130,000 payment, tax liabilities, and bonus, Trump Organization executives authorized a $420,000 payment to him. Trump has denied knowledge of the reimbursements, citing them as a legal expense in his internal books.

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