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credit: C. Bok
BC Idonwanna sez: Or maybe Barron's graduation? |
Latest: Justice Merchan held Donny the Mouth in contempt again, fining him the maximum $1000, bringing his total fines to $10,000. Merchan directly warned him that the next contempt will result in jail for his "direct attack on the rule of law." In court, Monday morning was spent leading the jury through the granular details of accounting documents for reimbursement of Michael Cohen. After occupying the White House, reimbursements came out of Trump's personal checking account rather than from his company, former controller Jeffery McConney testified. Merchan also reminded Don Trumpilini that his gag order does not prevent him from taking the stand in his own defense.
Update: It was only a matter of time before crocodile tears showed up on the witness stand. The photogenic former White House Press Secretary and campaign aide, Hope Hicks (
not a Playmate!) filled in more details about the scheme to suppress damaging press during the campaign. She shed some tears before cross-examination. Her testimony on Friday made the connection between Don 'Legit' and the illegal payments clearer: he signed the blasted checks after all! She was especially impactful when describing the campaign panic created by the "Access Hollywood" grabbing videotape, which motivated the scheme to suppress salacious stories about the Boss. She inserted a dagger when she said that Trump told her he knew about the payments, but blamed them on his fixer. She testified Cohen was not one to make such large payments on his own accord. Michael Cohen, who facilitated the money transfer to Daniels by taking out a house equity loan, will supply the final links, but he is in for a blistering attack on his credibility. Defense attorneys will argue that because he did not get a White House or Cabinet job, he has a grudge to settle with his former Boss.
US Person is betting that the jury will be believe his story since he is so heavily corroborated by physical evidence.
One of those is an admission in court that Trump made the payment to Daniels by reimbursing Michael Cohen. (p20).
{02.05.2024} While we wait with abated breath for the Supremes to decide the obvious, that a President does not enjoy absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, Justice Merchan in New York decided to fine Don 'Legit' $9000 for his contempt of his gag order. It may be Trump change, but more fines may be on the way this week as Merchan hears four more contempt charges on Thursday.
In his decision he sternly warned Donny the Mouth that further contempt of court will result in his incarceration.
At his criminal trial this week, a Beverly Hills lawyer who represented both Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, described in detail the arrangement to pay both of his clients to keep their sexual encounters with Trump private. The National Enquirer bought McDougal's story for $150,000, but balked at paying Daniels. Pecker notified Cohen that Daniels was shopping her story. Lawyer Keith Davidson told prosecutors that Trump's go-between, Michael Cohen, "did not have the authority to actually spend any money", and it was his "understanding that Mr, Trump was the beneficiary of this contract." His testimony and David Pecker's lays the foundation for the sensational testimony to come from Daniels and Cohen about the conspiracy to make illegal, in-kind campaign contributions by burying Daniel's sex story.
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credit: M. Lukovich, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BJ Idonwanna sez: Jury not impressed! |
