Manhattan DA reportedly wants to see if Trump Organization falsified Stormy Daniels payment records
First, they came for President Trump's right-hand men. Now, they're coming for his business.
The Manhattan district attorney's office has launched an investigation into the Trump Organization, the collective of businesses owned by Trump, sources tell CBS News. And, like The New York Times revealed Thursday, the D.A. is considering pursuing criminal charges.
On Tuesday, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight charges of financial crimes, including violating campaign laws. The Manhattan investigation centers around Cohen's case, in which the ex-lawyer pleaded guilty to breaking campaign finance rules by paying porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump. The payment was made "at the direction of a candidate for federal office," Cohen said. Cohen also acknowledged arranging a payment to a second woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani previously indicated Trump knew about and reimbursed Cohen for the payment. The D.A. is looking into business records from the reimbursement to see if they were falsified, CBS News says. The fact that this investigation is coming from a district office could have extra implications, as Trump couldn't pardon someone of state convictions, like he's reportedly considering doing with convicted federal felon Paul Manafort.
The news comes just hours after it was reported that the organization's longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, was granted immunity to speak with federal prosecutors. Read more about what a state investigation could mean for Trump here at The Week.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published