accusation
Trump charged with falsifying business records
Donald Trump sits in the courtroom awaiting the indictment. photo
© Seth Little/AP
A large security presence, protesting Trump supporters, malicious counter-demonstrators and a media spectacle: Donald Trump is the first ex-US President in history to appear in court.
Prosecutors in New York have charged former US President Donald Trump with falsifying business documents in 34 counts. The prosecutor in New York said he wanted to hide harmful information and illegal activities before and after the 2016 presidential election.
Trump had previously left the court in New York without comment after the date for reading the indictment. According to the media, Trump had previously pleaded “not guilty” in court. The indictment reportedly contains 34 counts.
The district attorney’s office in Manhattan announced the indictment against Trump on Thursday. The case is complicated. Shortly before his election as President in 2016, Trump paid hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels. She had claimed she had sex with him. Trump denies an affair, but not that money flowed. The payment itself is not illegal. According to the media, however, Trump is accused of having incorrectly billed them and falsifying business documents.