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The falsification of business records is usually treated as a lesser misdemeanour, but Trump is accused of having committed felony offences, denoting a more serious crime that could result in upwards of a year in prison upon conviction.
The charges relate to Trump's involvement in hush money payments made through former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to former porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The hush money payments were allegedly disguised as payments for legal services.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been investigating these payments for five years. "Why did Donald Trump repeatedly make these false statements?" Bragg asked reporters. "The evidence will show he did so to cover up crimes relating to the 2016 election."
Trump returned to his Florida home within hours of his court appearance. “This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election and it should be dropped immediately," he said in a statement.
