Key takeaways:
- Former President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to testify before a grand jury in Manhattan investigating a “hush money” payment allegedly made on his behalf.
- The payment in question was made by Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels.
- The grand jury is expected to continue its investigation into the payment, despite Trump’s refusal to testify.
Former President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to testify before a grand jury in Manhattan investigating a “hush money” payment allegedly made on his behalf days before the 2016 election.
Trump’s attorney Joe Tacopina told NBC News Monday that the former president has “no plans” to sit for the grand jury convened by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Trump was informed of his right to appear before the grand jury last week, but has decided against taking Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg up on the offer.
The payment in question was made by Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006. Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws over the payment and served a year in federal prison.
According to Pomerantz, a former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, prosecutors believe the Daniels payment was indicative of falsifying business records, a crime under New York state law. It is unclear if prosecutors are planning to bring criminal charges in the case.
The grand jury is expected to continue its investigation into the payment, despite Trump’s refusal to testify. It is unclear what other witnesses may be called to testify, or what other evidence may be presented to the grand jury.
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