Former President Donald Trump faces 34 criminal charges in a New York hush money trial that is expected to potentially end next week.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in April 2023 charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying first-degree business records. According to the indictment, 11 checks were issued “for fraudulent purposes” from the Trump Revocable Trust and his personal bank account.
“Each check was processed by the Trump Organization and illegally disguised as payment for legal services rendered pursuant to a non-existent retainer agreement,” the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said.
“In all, New York business records contained 34 false entries to conceal the original $130,000 confidential payment,” prosecutors said, referring to Michael Cohen’s $130,000 payment to adult movie star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about his lawsuit. Had sex with Trump.
Prosecutors say the catch-and-kill scheme involved 11 false invoices, 12 falsified ledger entries and 11 checks.
Falsifying business records in the first degree is a Class E felony, which can result in more than one year in prison and up to four years in prison on each count. However, if convicted, Trump would be considered a non-violent first-time offender and therefore could not be sentenced to prison. Other penalties can include probation and fines of up to $5,000.
Attorney Norm Eisen wrote in April analysis of the latest data shows that one in 10 cases of falsification of employment documents result in arrest.