A New York jury has found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to an adult-film actress, delivering a historic verdict that could shape the November election and makes Trump the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime. But the conviction is nevertheless an extraordinary loss for Trump, one that will reverberate through politics and the upcoming presidential election. “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” Trump said. Cohen was then given monthly reimbursement payments from Trump that were recorded as legal fees in documents maintained by Trump’s company. “You cannot convict President Trump of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt on the words of Michael Cohen,” Blanche told jurors.

Source: Washington Post May 30, 2024 22:50 UTC