Former U.S. President Donald Trump may be facing legal troubles again, this time in the form of a criminal investigation into allegations of campaign finance violations. According to reports, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has teamed up with the New York Attorney General’s office to investigate Trump’s business dealings and potential tax fraud. The probe is said to have expanded to include possible violations of campaign finance laws during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The investigation stems from allegations made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating campaign finance laws by making hush-money payments to two women who claimed to have had affairs with the former president. In his plea deal, Cohen claimed that Trump directed him to make the payments, which amounted to illegal campaign contributions.
The investigation into possible campaign finance violations poses a serious threat to Trump, who has long been under scrutiny for his business practices and financial dealings. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, the former president could potentially face criminal charges, which could include fines, prison time, or both.
In addition to the legal implications, the investigation could also impact Trump’s political future. The former president has not ruled out the possibility of running for office again in 2024, and a criminal indictment could jeopardize his chances of securing the support of voters.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has accused the investigation of being a politically motivated witch hunt. However, legal experts warn that the evidence against him could be damning, particularly if Cohen cooperates fully with the investigation. Cohen, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018, was released to house arrest last year due to COVID-19 concerns.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. Nevertheless, the investigation marks yet another legal challenge for Trump, who has spent years fighting off allegations of wrongdoing. As the investigation proceeds, all eyes will be on the former president and whether he will be held accountable for any illegal actions.
