Donald Trump Fined in “Hush Money” Scandal
Former US President Donald Trump continues to face the trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, where he is accused of paying a “hush fee” to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential elections. The trial took an interesting turn as Judge Juan Merchan announced that Trump violated a ban on talking about court employees and their families nine times. As a result, Trump was fined $9,000, with a thousand dollars for each violation. The judge warned that Trump could face imprisonment if he continues to violate the ban.
Witness statements were an important part of the hearing, with banker Gary Farro revealing that he helped Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen open the bank account used to pay Stormy Daniels $130,000. Trump’s lawyers argued that the payment was made to protect Trump’s name and family, not to influence the election outcome.
Attorney Keith Davidson, who represented Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal in their dealings with the National Enquirer, also testified. Davidson revealed that the magazine’s then-director, David Pecker, purchased stories containing allegations about Trump, with the understanding that publishing them would harm Trump’s image.
The trial, also known as the “hush fee” case, could result in up to 4 years in prison for Trump if found guilty. This case holds great significance as it marks the first time a former US President is being tried in a criminal case in US history. The trial is set to continue on Thursday as new developments unfold in this high-profile case.
