Trump ‘will not participate’ in Manhattan grand jury, says his lawyer

Former President Donald Trump will not accept an invitation to appear before a Manhattan grand jury investigating a “silence payment” allegedly made on his behalf days before the 2016 election.

Trump was informed of his right to appear before a grand jury last week but chose not to accept Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s offer.

“He will not participate in this process — a process that we and most electoral law experts consider absolutely useless,” Joseph Tacopina, who represents Trump, said in a statement.

The potential case was described by former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Pomeranz in his recent memoir as “new” and unverified. Pomerantz said prosecutors in the office believed Daniels’ payment was indicative of falsifying business records, a misdemeanor he said could potentially be charged with a felony under New York law if it was intended to cover up a second crime: in this case, the alleged illegal contribution to the election campaign.

A spokesman for Bragg declined to comment. In New York, an invitation to testify often precedes an indictment.

Trump denied that he had sexual contact with Daniels.

The investigation is centered on paying $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels, allegedly to keep her from saying she had an affair with Trump. The deal was brokered by Trump’s former lawyer and “middleman” Michael Cohen, who testified before a grand jury on Monday.

Sources familiar with the deliberations of Trump’s legal team told CBS News that they are awaiting an indictment.

Cohen, who went to jail on federal charges related to paying Daniels, has met with prosecutors more than half a dozen times since mid-January.

In his memoir “Disloyal”, Cohen described the transfer of money through a newly formed limited liability company. Cohen and Daniels said she and Trump signed a non-disclosure agreement using the pseudonyms David Dennison and Peggy Peterson.

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing related to the payment, and in recent days has been sharply critical of the Manhattan investigation led by District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling it a “political witch hunt” and “an old and condemned case that has been dismissed by every prosecutor’s office.”

Thank you for reading CBS news.

Create a free account or sign in to access more features.

Content Source

News Press Ohio – Latest News:
Columbus Local News || Cleveland Local News || Ohio State News || National News || Money and Economy News || Entertainment News || Tech News || Environment News

Related Articles

Back to top button