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Former US President Donald Trump has been formally charged with 34 felony counts in connection to a hush money payment scheme. The charges, announced on Tuesday, mark the latest twist in the ongoing saga surrounding Trump's dealings with his personal lawyer Michael Cohen.
According to court documents unsealed on Tuesday, Trump was implicated in a scheme orchestrated by Cohen and his associate, Kelvin Walker, which involved paying hush money to two women who claimed to have had extramarital affairs with Trump. The payments were reportedly made through a shell company called Essential Consultants LLC, which was set up by Cohen.
The indictment, which includes 34 felony counts, accuses Trump of engaging in "conspiracy" and "wire fraud." Prosecutors allege that Trump knowingly participated in the hush money scheme, despite knowing it was illegal. The charges do not directly accuse Trump of having extramarital affairs, but rather of covering up the payments to avoid detection.
As part of his statement on Tuesday, a Justice Department spokesperson said that the charges were made "pursuant to federal law" and that Trump had been charged with crimes committed while in office. This means that if convicted, Trump could face penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both.
Trump's lawyers have not commented publicly on the charges, but the former president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection to the hush money payments. The case has significant implications for Trump's ongoing efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and has raised questions about his fitness for future office.
The Justice Department has confirmed that it will continue to investigate other individuals involved in the scheme, including Cohen and Walker. As part of the investigation, prosecutors have obtained documents from several banks, including Deutsche Bank and Trump Organization's longtime accountant, Mazars USA.
According to court documents unsealed on Tuesday, Trump was implicated in a scheme orchestrated by Cohen and his associate, Kelvin Walker, which involved paying hush money to two women who claimed to have had extramarital affairs with Trump. The payments were reportedly made through a shell company called Essential Consultants LLC, which was set up by Cohen.
The indictment, which includes 34 felony counts, accuses Trump of engaging in "conspiracy" and "wire fraud." Prosecutors allege that Trump knowingly participated in the hush money scheme, despite knowing it was illegal. The charges do not directly accuse Trump of having extramarital affairs, but rather of covering up the payments to avoid detection.
As part of his statement on Tuesday, a Justice Department spokesperson said that the charges were made "pursuant to federal law" and that Trump had been charged with crimes committed while in office. This means that if convicted, Trump could face penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both.
Trump's lawyers have not commented publicly on the charges, but the former president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection to the hush money payments. The case has significant implications for Trump's ongoing efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and has raised questions about his fitness for future office.
The Justice Department has confirmed that it will continue to investigate other individuals involved in the scheme, including Cohen and Walker. As part of the investigation, prosecutors have obtained documents from several banks, including Deutsche Bank and Trump Organization's longtime accountant, Mazars USA.