The criminal trial of Donald Trump resumes Tuesday, the day after the presentation of the jurors. gave a deep look in accounting at the former president’s company and the judge warned Trump that he faced jail time.
Prosecutors on Monday called two longtime Trump Organization accountants who explained the crude mechanics of processing an invoice, from the invoice to the ledger entry to the signed check. Jurors then saw a series of checks paid to Michael Cohen in 2017 and signed either by Trump or two of his adult sons. Payments totaled $420,000 during the year.
Former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney also reviewed a copy of handwritten notes from seven years ago. Prosecutors say it shows how Trump staff explained the $130,000 Cohen paid adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence the previous year about an alleged sexual relationship. They added another $50,000 owed to Cohen, for a total of $180,000. They then doubled that figure to offset an expected tax cut, and added a $60,000 year-end bonus to arrive at the final figure of $420,000.
The calculations had a note at the bottom: “Monthly transfer from DJT,” referring to Trump’s personal bank account.
Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursements to Cohen. He has pleaded not guilty and denies having sex with Daniels.
Earlier today, Judge Juan Merchan found for the tenth time that Trump had violated an order of silence in this matter and held him in contempt.
Merchan warned that the punishment would be more severe if Trump continued to violate the order.
“It appears that $1,000 fines are not a deterrent. Therefore, going forward, this court will need to consider a penalty of imprisonment if it is recommended,” Merchan said.
Prosecutors have not said who they will call to the stand next. Court resumes at 9:30 a.m.
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