The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has been conducting an inquiry into the payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence about an alleged affair with former President Donald Trump. The payment was made by Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, just weeks before the 2016 presidential election.
The inquiry is focused on whether the payment violated campaign finance laws, as it may have been an illegal contribution to Trump’s campaign. Cohen has already pleaded guilty to charges related to the payment and is currently serving a prison sentence.
The investigation by the Manhattan DA’s office is separate from the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.
The inquiry into the payment to Daniels began in early 2018 when the FBI raided Cohen’s office, home, and hotel room. During the raid, they seized documents related to the payment to Daniels, among other things.
In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges, including two counts of campaign finance violations related to the payment to Daniels and another woman who claimed to have had an affair with Trump. Cohen admitted that he made the payments at Trump’s direction and with the intention of influencing the election.
The Manhattan DA’s office has been investigating whether anyone else was involved in the payment or whether there were any other campaign finance violations related to the payment. They have also been looking into whether there were any other illegal activities committed by Cohen or others related to Trump.
In February 2019, it was reported that the Manhattan DA’s office had subpoenaed documents from the Trump Organization related to the payment to Daniels. The subpoena requested documents from January 2011 to the present, including communications between Trump and Cohen about the payment.
The investigation by the Manhattan DA’s office is ongoing, and it is unclear what further action they may take. However, if they find evidence of illegal activity, they could bring charges against individuals involved in the payment or related activities.
Overall, the inquiry into the payment made to Stormy Daniels is an important part of the ongoing investigations into possible illegal activity by Trump and his associates. It highlights the importance of following campaign finance laws and holding those who violate them accountable.
