New York Attorney’s Office Points To Trump Likely Of Criminal Charges, Report Says

• New York prosecutors have told lawyers for former President Donald Trump that he could face criminal charges for paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels on his behalf ahead of the 2016 presidential election, a new report says.
• The New York Times reported that Trump was offered the opportunity to testify next week before a grand jury that was collecting evidence and hearing evidence for a criminal investigation.
• “Such offers almost always indicate that prosecution is close,” the Times notes.

The New York Attorney’s Office pointed out to the ex-president’s lawyers Donald Trump that he could face criminal charges for paying silence money to porn star Stormy Daniels on his behalf ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to a new report released Thursday.

The New York Times reported that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has suggested that Trump next week testify before a grand jury that is collecting evidence and hearing testimony for a criminal investigation.

“Such offers almost always indicate that an indictment is near,” the Times article noted.

The newspaper said its reporters spoke to four people with knowledge of the situation.

Trump’s two lawyers confirmed to NBC News that his lawyers told him he could face a grand jury. Lawyers stated that such a proposal was standard and that he was not issued a subpoena requiring him to appear.

They disputed the Times report that criminal charges could be filed.

Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen admitted in 2018 that he paid Daniels $130,000 shortly before the 2016 election to keep her quiet about her allegations of a one-time sexual date with Trump a few years earlier.

Trump, who is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, denies having sex with Daniels. But he reimbursed Cohen for the adult film actress’s payment.

A spokesman for Trump told NBC News, “The Manhattan District Attorney’s threat to indict President Trump is just insane.”

“For the past five years, the DA’s office has been on a witch hunt, investigating every aspect of President Trump’s life, and every step of the way they’ve failed, and now this,” the spokesman said.

“The fact that, after their intense investigation, the DA is even considering another political attack is a clear justification for President Trump in all areas. President Trump was a victim of extortion then, just as he is now. This confuses Democratic prosecutors. and it’s a shame for New York.”

In addition to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation, Trump is under criminal investigation in Atlanta for meddling in the 2020 presidential election due to his attempts to reverse President Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia.

Trump is also under criminal investigation by the Justice Department for trying to reverse his Electoral College loss to Biden that year, as well as pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to accept Biden’s swing-state voter certificates that gave his rival an advantage. in victory.