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Alvin Braggs reasoning for not bringing charges against Donald Trump.
Washington PostPeople familiar with Bragg’s thinking said his hesitation in going forward is due in large part to his lack of faith in Cohen, a former Trump attorney and a convicted felon. Cohen wrote a book about his life as a Trump crony, and frequently criticizes the ex-president. He has made clear that he is willing to testify about how business was done at the Trump Organization if a case is brought.
He says that he met with investigators from the DA’s office about a dozen times before Dunne and Pomerantz left, but that no one from Bragg’s team has contacted him since. Pomerantz’s resignation letter, which was obtained by The Washington Post, echoed what Cohen has said publicly about the nature of the evidence, including statements of Trump’s financial condition that were submitted to lenders and other parties.
Trump’s “financial statements were false, and he has a long history of fabricating information relating to his personal finances and lying about his assets to banks, the national media, counterparties, and many others, including the American people,” Pomerantz wrote.
Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance violations and giving false information to a bank for his role in negotiating hush-money payments to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, allegedly on Trump’s behalf, during the 2016 campaign. Trump has said he was not involved with paying off Daniels and has denied having an affair with her. Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about his role in a Trump Organization project in Russia.
While using witnesses convicted of crimes, especially lying, can be problematic, it is not unheard of for prosecutors to do so, especially when they have few other ways to make their case. Cohen’s prison sentence is complete, so prosecutors cannot offer him a benefit in exchange for his participation, which could boost his credibility before a jury.
He says that he met with investigators from the DA’s office about a dozen times before Dunne and Pomerantz left, but that no one from Bragg’s team has contacted him since. Pomerantz’s resignation letter, which was obtained by The Washington Post, echoed what Cohen has said publicly about the nature of the evidence, including statements of Trump’s financial condition that were submitted to lenders and other parties.
Trump’s “financial statements were false, and he has a long history of fabricating information relating to his personal finances and lying about his assets to banks, the national media, counterparties, and many others, including the American people,” Pomerantz wrote.
Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance violations and giving false information to a bank for his role in negotiating hush-money payments to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, allegedly on Trump’s behalf, during the 2016 campaign. Trump has said he was not involved with paying off Daniels and has denied having an affair with her. Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about his role in a Trump Organization project in Russia.
While using witnesses convicted of crimes, especially lying, can be problematic, it is not unheard of for prosecutors to do so, especially when they have few other ways to make their case. Cohen’s prison sentence is complete, so prosecutors cannot offer him a benefit in exchange for his participation, which could boost his credibility before a jury.
Not nearly as much fun as claiming bribery or blackmail.....
27 replies
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Why did Alvin Bragg even want to run for office, is the question they need to ask. In his campaign Bragg frequently told NYC voters that he wouldn't back off from the Chump indictments. And now that he's in office, that's exactly what he's done.
