Manhattan Prosecutors Seek to Discreditt Donald Trump’s Testimony at New York Criminal Trial with Past Legal Run-Ins
Should Donald Trump decide to take the stand during his ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan, New York prosecutors are prepared to scrutinize his past legal run-ins as a means of discrediting his testimony to the jury.
Prosecutors’ Intended Line of Inquiry
According to a filing made public on Wednesday, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutors plan to inquire about several past legal matters involving Trump, including:
Civil Fraud Trial with the New York Attorney General
In this case, a judge found Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, liable for committing persistent and repeated fraud by inflating the value of their assets to obtain better loan rates. Prosecutors will likely question Trump about this verdict and his testimony during the trial.
E. Jean Carroll Allegations
Juries have determined that Trump should pay nearly $90 million over E. Jean Carroll’s claims of rape in 1996 and subsequent defamation when he publicly denied her allegations in 2019. Prosecutors will likely want to explore Trump’s denial of these claims during the criminal trial.
Frivolous Lawsuit Against Hillary Clinton
Prosecutors will also want to inquire about the dismissed lawsuit Trump brought against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that was deemed frivolous and filed in bad faith. This line of questioning may serve to demonstrate a pattern of baseless legal actions by Trump.
Settlement with the New York Attorney General
The dissolution of the Donald J. Trump Foundation following a settlement with the New York Attorney General is another matter prosecutors will likely explore, as it highlights financial mismanagement within the organization.
Tax Fraud Conviction of Trump’s Company
Furthermore, the 2022 tax fraud conviction of Trump’s company will be a topic of interest for prosecutors. This case, also tried by the DA’s office before Judge Juan Merchan, may offer insight into the financial practices and potential dishonesty of both Trump and his organization.
Sandoval Hearing to Determine Relevant Topics for Prosecutors
A proceeding called a Sandoval hearing will be held to determine the fair boundaries of prosecutors’ inquiry if Trump decides to testify. This common preliminary proceeding reviews a defendant’s criminal history and assesses the scope of questions prosecutors can ask if Trump takes the stand during the trial.
Timeline for Sandoval Hearing
Judge Merchan mentioned in court on Tuesday that he could potentially debate the matter during a hearing scheduled for Friday, depending on whether jury selection is completed on time. He stated, “If for some reason we are fortunate and get done early on Friday, we will take up Sandoval at that time.”
The criminal trial is still in its preparatory stages, and the outcome of these proceedings will significantly impact the potential scope of questioning if Trump chooses to testify.
