A prosecutor told jurors at the start of the former president’s historic hush money trial on Monday that Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election when he conspired to prevent damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public.
The opening statements launched the first criminal trial of a former American president, a case that will unfold against the backdrop of a closely contested White House race in which Trump is not only the presumptive Republican nominee, but also a defendant facing the prospect of a felony conviction and prison.
The statements from prosecutors, and later from Trump’s lawyers, will give the 12-person jury and the voting public the clearest view yet of the allegations at the heart of the case.
They also serve as an introduction to the colourful cast of characters that comprise the tawdry saga, including a porn actor who says she had a sexual encounter with Trump; the lawyer who prosecutors say paid her to keep quiet about it; and the tabloid publisher who agreed to function as the campaign’s eyes and ears.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records — a charge punishable by up to four years in prison.
A conviction would not preclude Trump from becoming president again,
However, because it is a state case, he would not be able to attempt to pardon himself if found guilty.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
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