The third week of former President Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial began with continued testimony from bank executive Gary Farro, who testified that Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney, was his client when Cohen wired $130,000 in “hush money” to Stormy Daniels’ lawyer just days before the 2016 election. Farro, who worked at First Republic Bank at the time, stated that the payment was made in exchange for Daniels’ silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Prosecutors claim that the arrangement was meant to protect Trump’s campaign, and that Trump falsified records when repaying Cohen in order to conceal the alleged scheme. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony falsification of business records counts in the case and has denied all allegations, including any allegations of extramarital encounters.
During his testimony, Farro detailed Cohen’s “sense of urgency” on October 26, 2016, when he opened a bank account for a new corporation called Essential Consultants LLC, which was used to wire the $130,000 to Daniels’ attorney. This payment was for the rights to her story, in which she alleged that she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. The trial’s first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, testified that both Cohen and Trump were determined to suppress the story because they believed it would harm Trump’s chances of winning the presidency. Another witness, Trump’s former executive assistant Rhona Graff, testified that she kept a list of Trump’s contacts, including one labeled “Stormy.”
Trump’s New York criminal trial is ongoing, with the first week of testimony focusing on the payment made to Stormy Daniels and the alleged efforts to conceal the payment’s true purpose. The trial has so far heard from witnesses who were involved in the financial transactions related to the payment, as well as individuals close to Trump who were aware of the situation. Trump has maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing in the case, despite the mounting evidence presented by prosecutors.
As the trial progresses into its third week, it remains to be seen how the defense will counter the prosecution’s claims and evidence. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for Trump, both legally and politically, as he continues to face multiple legal challenges stemming from his time in office. The case has garnered significant media attention and is being closely watched by both Trump’s supporters and critics, as it could potentially impact his future political ambitions.
