In the unfolding legal drama surrounding former President Trump’s hush money trial, New York prosecutors are seeking to delve into his tangled web of civil lawsuits should he opt to take the stand. Recently revealed court documents from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office unveil intentions to probe Trump on 13 instances where court rulings went against him or his enterprises, with the aim of undermining his credibility.
The cases cited span a wide spectrum, including a high-profile business fraud trial resulting in a hefty payout nearing half a billion dollars, breaches of gag orders, and adverse jury verdicts. Trump’s legal team has voiced opposition to the prosecutors’ request, indicating a potential clash over the scope of his testimony.
While Trump has expressed a willingness to testify in this criminal trial distinct from his prior civil litigations, such a move would constitute a rarity among defendants in criminal proceedings. Notably, prosecutors lack the authority to compel his testimony, and jurors have pledged not to hold it against him should he choose to remain silent.
Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the trial, is slated to conduct a pivotal hearing to determine the permissible extent of prosecutors’ cross-examination of Trump. This procedural step, known as a Sandoval hearing, aims to provide Trump’s legal team with essential information for deciding on his testimony.
The court documents further reveal Bragg’s intention to highlight a significant penalty of $354 million imposed on Trump for manipulating his net worth to secure tax and insurance benefits. Allegations of persistent falsification of business records, issuance of false financial statements, and participation in insurance fraud are poised to feature prominently.
Additionally, prosecutors seek to scrutinize Trump’s defiance of a gag order in one case, resulting in substantial fines. His testimony during that episode was deemed lacking in credibility by the judge. Furthermore, Trump faces inquiries regarding adverse jury verdicts in lawsuits brought by E. Jean Carroll, including one finding him liable for sexual abuse and another ordering substantial damages for defamation.
A litany of past legal entanglements, ranging from a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation to a sanction-inducing case against Hillary Clinton, underscores the breadth of Trump’s legal battles. Notably, the current trial marks the first instance of a former president facing criminal charges, with Trump confronting 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to a hush money payment made by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to an adult film actress prior to the 2016 election.
As jury selection proceeds, the trial’s commencement looms, anticipated to commence with opening statements imminently.