NBC reports that ex-President Donald Trump has been indicted by a New York grand jury with nearly 30 criminal charges linked to supposed document fraud. The charges are included in the sealed indictment that was sanctioned on Thursday by the Manhattan Supreme Court.
Former President Donald Trump, who is considered a top candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, is set to appear in Manhattan court on Tuesday for arraignment on approximately 30 criminal charges. The charges are believed to be related to allegations of document fraud and reportedly include Trump’s reimbursement of his former lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her from speaking about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election.
The Trump Organization classified payments made by Trump to Cohen for the purpose of hush money as “legal expenses.” However, misclassifying business expenses is considered a misdemeanor under New York law and can be elevated to a felony if done to conceal another crime.
Stephanie Clifford, known by her stage name Stormy Daniels, was paid to keep quiet about her allegation that she had sexual relations with Donald Trump in 2006. However, Trump denies her claim. This criminal indictment makes Trump the first U.S. president to face charges in a criminal case, both during and after his term in office.
According to a Quinnipiac University survey published this week, most Americans think that Trump should be barred from running for the presidency if he faces criminal charges. Nonetheless, there is no legal prohibition against Trump running for the White House while being charged.
