A New York prosecutor has given Donald Trump the chance to testify before a grand jury over alleged bribery of a pornographic actress he allegedly had a relationship with, a proceeding that could lead to an indictment, US media reported.
the papers The New York Times It is The Washington Post claim Trump was invited to testify next week about the $130,000 allegedly given to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 ahead of the presidential election.
Both papers cite sources familiar with the proceedings of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who took office in January.
According to the New York Times, a proposal like this “almost always means an indictment is imminent.”
The New York district attorney did not immediately respond to the AFP’s request for comment.
If confirmed, the charges would be the first prosecution against a former US president.
Trump this Thursday on his Truth Social network denounced a “political witch hunt, an attempt to overthrow by far the leading candidate of the Republican Party.”
“I’ve never had an affair with Stormy Daniels, and I wouldn’t want to have an affair with Stormy Daniels”he said, without confirming whether he had been given the opportunity to testify.
A candidate for another term in the White House, Trump is the subject of several federal and state investigations for acts that took place before, during and after his term, but he has not yet been charged.
A formal accusation could affect his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.
Two weeks before the November 2016 election, Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, allegedly wired $130,000 to the pornographic actress — whose real name is Stephanie Clifford — to keep her quiet about her relationship with the Republican magnate.
The lawyer stated that the money was later refunded.
Because it was not properly accounted for, the refund to Cohen could lead to an indictment against Trump in New York, but the charge could be elevated to a felony if the false accounting is used to cover up a second offense, such as a campaign finance violation, the New York Times reported.
Source: DN
