Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in New York hush money trial
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom, as his criminal trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 continues, at Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S., April 30, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/Pool
By Jack Queen and Jody Godoy
(Reuters) – The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial fined the former U.S. president $9,000 on Tuesday for statements that he found violated a gag order in the case.
Justice Juan Merchan’s order came as Trump’s trial was due to resume in New York with testimony from a banker familiar with accounts involved in the former U.S. president’s alleged scheme to influence the 2016 election by covering up a sex scandal.
Former President Donald Trump speaks upon arriving at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. Seth Wenig/Pool via REUTERS
Trump, the Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential election, is charged with falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about a sexual encounter she said she had with Trump in 2006.
Former President Donald Trump speaks upon arriving at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. Seth Wenig/Pool via REUTERS
Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied having sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
The historic criminal trial is the first of a former U.S. president and began on April 22.
Former US President Donald Trump arrives for his criminal trial at New York State Supreme Court in New York, New York, USA, 30 April 2024. Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. JUSTIN LANE/Pool via REUTERS
Roughly two dozen Trump supporters rallied outside the courthouse on Tuesday morning, chanting his name and waving banners that read “TRUMP 24”. A local Republican organization had called for supporters to turn out after Trump complained that few people were protesting the trial.
FILE PHOTO: Justice Juan Merchan presides during a hearing before the trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. March 25, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg/File Photo
Banker Garry Farro, who is not accused of wrongdoing, testified on Friday about financial records filed by Trump’s onetime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who prosecutors say helped carry out the scheme.
Trump is required to attend the trial and has said he could instead be campaigning ahead of his rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election.
The criminal case is one of four pending against Trump, but could be the only one to go to trial and result in a verdict before the election.
(This story has been corrected to say the fine was $9,000, not $8,000, in the headline and in paragraph 1)
(Reporting by Jack Queen and Jody Godoy; Writing by Andy Sullivan; editing by Noeleen Walder and Jonathan Oatis)