President Trump speaks at the White House on Wednesday. By Stephen R. Weissman Stephen R. Weissman is a political scientist and the former associate director for policy at the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute. March 7 at 10:31 AM President Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws by making a large, indirect, “in-kind” contribution to Trump’s presidential campaign and causing a corporation to do the same. American Media Inc.
Trump’s salvation would lie in the legal requirement that, to be criminal, violations of campaign law must be “willful.” That means a prosecutor would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump knew his conduct was unlawful but purposely went ahead with it anyway. Almost seven years ago, Abbe Lowell, a prominent Washington lawyer, exploited this requisite in his successful defense of former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards.
Trump’s team could certainly attempt to follow Lowell’s path by challenging witnesses’ credibility and emphasizing that Trump’s principal purpose was to protect his wife and avoid embarrassment . Trump’s lawyers could also cite the president’s longtime habit of spending money to squelch unfavorable publicity, including legal settlements and a reported 2011 payoff associated with one woman’s threat to go public.
Both agreed that the specific issue of whether donor payments for personal expenses of a “third party” associated with an affair were illegal in-kind contributions had never come up during their careers. The CFO also noted that after Edwards was indicted, FEC staff auditing his campaign’s financial reports raised no concerns about its failure to disclose the payments in question.
Cuz he is “The Don”!
Maybe they weren’t Maybe your TDS glasses should be removed?
Because he is innocent .
Wasn't Obama fined for this? What about that
Because in the past both parties have just paid fines for theses violations.
Because it’s not illegal?
'Why Trump probably won’t get in trouble for campaign finance violations' Ah, because he doesn't need the money?
Will RepAOC
More defensive right wing babble to try to convince everyone the universal corruption protecting Putin's dildo is normal.
Because he didn't and you blind eye suckers are just that, Suckers.. Where were you when God was handing out brains, obviously sitting down watching Fake News..
Because he’s a rich old white guy?
Because he didn't violate them? Somehow I doubt that will be your conclusion though, since you are incapable of being honest.
Because he’s above the law, like all Republican presidents since Nixon. More evidence our laws are just for the poor and unconnected.
Because nothing matters? 😡
I am a stable genius! Nothing will ever get me into trouble! I play three-dimensional chess while the FakeNews Media and Dems play checkers!
Looks like AOC did way way worse
🗞| A vehicle belonging to Ra:fida mushrikin was targeted with light arms fire in the al-Hashimiyat area to the west of Baquba 2 days ago, disabling it. NationalCerealDay ( WorldBookDay (
Impeach the mothafucka
Just ask John Edwards... oh yeah.
He’s on tape! He tried to cover it up! Mens rea!
Baloney, Bologna. This is easy to prove.
Dont have to read article I know. He is president, but not for long. You go ahead and have fun this next 2 years donnie
They hard a hard time proving John Gotti committed crimes too.
sort how you did not vett the SOB... in the election.right.
Naked pictures of Hillary?
Teflon Don!
Because many before him set precedent. It’s that simple.
Wrong again! NEXT!
We need to hold him more accountable than any other President or politician before him because I hate him more than I hate white men.
Because there weren’t any. Just political hacks attacking with no evidence