Former US President, Trump Pleads Not Guilty To Criminal Charges

Former president of United States of America, Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to the criminal case and falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 election.

VerseNews Nigeria reports that Trump was charged with 34 felony counts in a Manhattan court on Tuesday April 4, 2023.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleges Trump repeatedly violated New York’s business-records laws in trying to cover up a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence in the days before the 2016 presidential election.

The charges came alive after a porn star, Stormy Daniels confirms a ‘hush money payment’ of $130,000 (£104,000) and claimed that he had adulterous affair with the 76-year-old US former president

According to Bragg, Trump had arranged for the money to silence the porn star about an alleged affair back in 2006.

Trump’s former lawyer who later became an ally to him (Trump) confirmed that the money was paid upon Trump’s directive.

They allege $30,000 was paid to buy the silence of a doorman at Trump Tower who claimed Mr Trump had a lovechild.

And $150,000 was paid to Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who said she had a sexual relationship with Trump.

Prosecutors said both payments were made by the National Enquirer, a US tabloid whose publisher is a long-time ally of Mr Trump.

DON’T MISS: ‘I’m Always On Record’ – Peter Obi Responses To Audio Call Allegations With Bishop Oyedepo

During the ruling, Trump denied all allegations presented against him before the court.

This Online News Media reports that consequently to the charges, Trump becomes the first US president in history to face a criminal trial.

While presenting the court charges, the prosecutors told the Judge Merchan that Trump had mad threatening posts on social media.

Responding to the allegation, Trump’s lawyer said his client was frustrated by the case, which he believed to be a “great injustice”.

Trump in a briefing at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago, on Tuesday evening at the court said his only crime was defending the nation.

 “The only crime I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” he told the crowd.