It is reported that former US President Donald Trump will appear in court on April 4 on charges that he paid a “shutdown” after having an affair with an adult movie star.
According to two sources with knowledge of the case, who spoke to CNN, Trump is expected to appear in Manhattan criminal court on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. local time.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was shared that all other issues are planned to be postponed to ensure safety by reducing pedestrian traffic in the courthouse, and that all other litigation activities will be stopped during the time Trump will appear in court.
The Associated Press (AP) also wrote that Trump was asked to arrive today, but his lawyers said the Secret Service, which is responsible for the former president’s security, needed additional time to prepare for security.
The indictment against Trump says there are more than 30 charges involving campaign and business record violations, including paying porn star Stormy Daniels a “hush share”.
It is stated that since the indictment file is currently sealed, a court order is required to open it and a copy of the indictment is not expected to be shared with Trump’s legal team until the first hearing to be held on Tuesday.
“CANNOT BE HIDDEN IN HIS MANSION IN MAR-A-LAGO”
Speaking to NBC this morning, Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, said he would not negotiate with the prosecution on the former president’s indictment, saying he plans to file “significant legal objections” against the indictment.
Tacopina noted that Trump would “absolutely” voluntarily surrender to law enforcement in Manhattan, noting that he would “not be handcuffed” to the former president Tuesday, adding that “he will not be able to hide in his Mar-a-Lago mansion.” used the phrase.
In a statement to CNN, Trump’s other attorney, Jim Trusty, also shared the information that Trump’s legal team will file a counterclaim to dismiss the indictment before the hearing on the charges against him potentially begins.
Trusty said it did not know the “exact time” for when they could file the counterclaim as the indictment had not reached them and there is no case number yet, but said it would be “soon”.
EXTRAORDINARY SAFETY MEASURES IN NEW YORK
On the other hand, with the grand jury indicting Trump, security measures were increased extraordinarily in New York City, especially in the courthouse and around Trump Tower.
While all officers in the New York Police Department (NYPD) are called to duty starting today, regardless of rank, it was stated that there are no significant security threats in the city for now.
Fabien Levy, press spokesperson for New York Mayor Eric Adams, stated that senior executives are in constant communication with each other for the safety of the city, adding, “The President is in contact with law enforcement officials and the NYPD is always ready to respond to incidents on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe. ready.” used the phrases.
It was stated that Secret Service members responsible for Trump’s security will meet with the NYPD, district attorney’s office and court officials today to review the logistics of the historic hearing on April 4.
In the interviews, it was stated that they will evaluate the processes such as what Trump will do during the detention process, how to take his fingerprints, take a criminal record, and then take him to court, starting with the arrival of his convoy.
Trump will be the first ex-president in American history to stand trial for an accusation against him.
Trump, who is a candidate for the 2024 presidential election in the USA, announced on March 18 that he expected the arrest of the Manhattan District Attorney regarding his investigation, and therefore called for a protest.
Trump described the indictment decision of the jury yesterday as “political” and argued that it was “interference in the elections”.
“SUS SHARE” PAYMENT
Adult movie star Stormy Daniels claimed that she signed an agreement in 2016 to pay 130,000 dollars to remain silent about her alleged sexual intercourse with Trump, but argued that it was invalid because it was not signed by Trump.
While Trump denied Daniels’ allegations, Michael Cohen, who was Trump’s lawyer before the 2016 election campaign, confirmed that he paid Daniels $130,000 from his own account on Trump’s behalf.
Cohen claimed that the Trump companies later repaid him about $420,000 in bonuses.
Detained in December 2018 on charges of “lying” and “tax evasion” in the investigation into Trump’s election campaign, Cohen was sentenced to 3 years in court and sent to federal prison in Otisville in May 2019 to serve his sentence.
In those years, federal prosecutors did not need to initiate any investigation against Trump, while the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office initiated what is known as the “shutdown” payment.
It was stated that the prosecutor’s office examined the legal status of the said payment within the framework of the election campaign and how the payment was reflected in the company records. (AA)