Another criminal investigation was launched against former US President Donald Trump just days after the latter declared that he’s running for the US Presidential seat in 2024.
Recently, a district attorney’s office in Manhattan launched its criminal investigation into Donald Trump, sources who have knowledge on the matter, told the New York Times.
The prosecutors under the new district attorney, Alvin Bragg have reportedly resurfaced the long-running investigation’s original focus that once seemed to have ended to find out more about the alleged hush-money payment to a porn star who reportedly claimed she had an affair with Trump.
Last April, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg dismissed the investigation due to lack of progress after two of the office’s prosecutors who were working on the case resigned in protest and went on to the media to proclaim that the former president was a criminal being let off the hook.
According to the reports, the case against Trump also lacked foundation with the DA’s office, having a tough time building the hush-money payment due to its reliance on a completely unproven legal theory.
In a report published by New York Times, sources reportedly told the media outlet that “the district attorney’s office first examined the payment to the actress, Stormy Daniels, years ago before changing direction to scrutinize Trump’s broader business practices. But Bragg and some of his deputies have recently indicated to associates, supporters and at least one lawyer involved in the matter that they are newly optimistic about building a case against Trump.”
The investigation was launched amid declarations and controversies, involving Trump.
Last Friday, U.S. attorney general Merrick Garland appointed a special prosecutor to immediately proceed with two federal investigations into Donald Trump. However, it is still unclear at the time of writing if Bragg or the special counsel would seek charges against Trump.
“Under Bragg’s predecessor, the district attorney’s office rejected the idea of focusing a case solely on the hush money, concluding, with the help of outside legal experts, that it would hinge on a largely untested and therefore risky legal theory. And if Bragg were to charge Trump without uncovering any new evidence or relying on a more conventional theory, he would risk having a judge or appellate court throw out the case.
To help build the hush-money case, prosecutors are revisiting another strategy that has yet to work: pressuring a top Trump lieutenant, Allen Weisselberg, to cooperate,” the outlet revealed.
The recent investigation came after Trump announced he is running again for president in 2024.
“I am announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump declared at his Mar-a-Lago club and home in Palm Beach, Fla.
