Former President Donald Trump has been fined $9,000 by Judge Juan M. Merchan for violating a gag order in his hush money trial. The ruling came after prosecutors alleged that Trump had made public statements about witnesses and jurors on nine separate occasions. The judge concurred with the prosecution in all but one instance, and a hearing will be held on Thursday to address four additional alleged violations.
Merchan also announced that the trial, which centers around $130,000 in payments made by Trump’s company to his former attorney Michael Cohen, will not be held on May 17 to allow the former president to attend his son Barron’s graduation. Trump had previously requested the day off from court for this purpose.
On Tuesday, Trump arrived at the courthouse in lower Manhattan for the second week of witness testimony. A group of approximately 60 Trump supporters gathered across the street, waving flags in support of the former president.
The third prosecution witness, Gary Farro, a banker who assisted Cohen in opening accounts, is expected to testify about the financial transactions used to silence porn performer Stormy Daniels. Daniels had alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, which he denies.
Judge Merchan may decide this week on further penalties for Trump’s alleged violations of the gag order, which prohibits him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors, and others involved in the case. The order also restricts Trump from discussing court staff, lawyers, and relatives of the prosecutors or the judge.
During the first week of testimony, prosecutors focused on presenting evidence of an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by burying negative stories. Testimony from the former publisher of the National Enquirer shed light on the tabloid’s practice of purchasing rights to stories to prevent their publication.
Rhona Graff, Trump’s longtime executive assistant, also testified, recalling seeing Stormy Daniels in the reception area of Trump Tower, although the exact date of the visit remains unclear.
1 Response
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