China News Service, March 10 (Xinhua) According to the US "New York Times" on the 9th, citing people familiar with the matter, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York suggested that former US President Trump may face criminal charges for paying "hush money" to porn stars.
It was the strongest signal yet that prosecutors are imminent indicting Trump.
On November 15, 2022 local time, former U.S. President Trump delivered a speech at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, officially announcing his participation in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The New York Times, citing four people familiar with the matter, said prosecutors offered Trump the opportunity to testify before a grand jury next week.
A grand jury has been hearing evidence in this potential case.
Such proposals generally imply that the defendant is about to be prosecuted, the media said.
Under New York local law, potential defendants have the right to answer questions from a grand jury before indictment, but they rarely testify.
This time, Trump is also likely to refuse to testify.
But his lawyers may meet privately with the attorney general in hopes of avoiding criminal proceedings.
The investigation into Trump's "hush money" payment has been going on for nearly five years.
The allegations allege that Trump and his then-personal attorney, Cohen, paid porn star Daniels $130,000 in "hush money" for allegedly having an affair with Trump shortly before the 2016 election.
Trump has previously said prosecutors began his "witch hunt" before he became president, and called the prosecutor in the case, Bragg, an African-American Democrat, a politically motivated "racist."
"The Manhattan District Attorney's threat to sue President Trump is insane," Trump's spokesman said in a statement. thing."
Trump has faced a series of criminal investigations and questioning by special counsel over the years, but has never been charged with a crime.
If Trump is indicted this time, it will be the first time he has been indicted.
According to US media, this may overturn the pattern of the 2024 US presidential election. Trump has previously announced his participation in the 2024 election.