What are the accusations against Donald Trump?

Trump is the first former US president to stand trial on criminal charges. Photo: Reuters. a New York judge on Tuesday to answer criminal charges threatening to cause turmoil in the 2024 White House race.

Mr. Trump became the first former US president to face criminal charges. This is a historic event that has pushed the United States into uncharted political waters.

Here's what you need to know about Mr. Trump's legal case.

What is Mr. Trump accused of?

The indictment against Donald Trump has been opened, detailing 34 counts of felonies of falsifying business records. silence to hide the alleged deeds.

One payment is $130,000 allegedly made to former porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, who claims she had an affair with Trump.

The money was paid by Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer and longtime aide. History has been killed. Two years later, Mr. Cohen was jailed for three years on eight counts, including tax fraud and campaign finance violations.

Mr. Trump consistently denied having had any sexual contact with Ms. Daniels.

Trump's indictment pdf What were the campaign finance irregularities?

The purpose of the silence payments was allegedly to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. The $130,000 payment far exceeded the $2,700 personal donation limit.

So why is Mr. Trump in the dock?

According to court documents, the Trump Organization paid Mr. Cohen $420,000 dollars, including a refund of $130,000 paid to Ms. Daniels. Mr. Trump denied knowing about the payment.

However, Mr. Cohen claims that Mr. Trump personally signed the $35,000 check. In February 2019, Mr. Cohen presented the check at a congressional hearing. He also told lawmakers that he received 11 checks from Trump.

Is this a misdemeanor or a felony?

Falsifying business records is considered a misdemeanor in New York — a minor offense. But doing it to help or cover up another offense, in this case violating campaign finance laws, is a Class E felony.

What will the prosecution have to prove?

Prosecutors will have to prove not only that the tapes were deliberately falsified, but made with the intent to violate campaign finance laws.

Could Mr. Trump face potential jail time?< p>If the former president is found guilty of a class E felony, he faces a prison term of up to four years. years.

Have other senior politicians been accused of campaign finance violations?

John Edwards, who was John Kerry's running mate in 2004, ran for the Oval Office himself in 2008. Three years later, he was charged with six felony charges. accusations by the Grand Jury after he allegedly extorted almost $1 million (£800,000) from donors to pay his pregnant mistress. Although the North Carolina senator was acquitted at trial, his political career was over.