Trump will surrender to face charges if indicted defense lawyer says<br />
Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during an event at a fire station following the recent derailment of a train carrying hazardous waste, in East Palestine, Ohio, February 22, 2023.
Former President Donald Trump will surrender to face criminal charges if indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, his lawyer said Friday evening.
Joseph Tacopina was speaking on the heels WNBC’s report that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies were preparing security arrangements in preparation for Trump’s possible indictment.
When Tacopina was asked by CNBC what Trump would do if the possibility became a reality, Tacopina replied that she would follow normal procedures.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is investigating Trump’s company for recording as legal expenses a reimbursement for Michael Cohen, his former personal attorney. Cohen was responsible for Stormy Daniels’ $130,000 gift to Trump before the 2016 election in order to keep Stormy quiet about an alleged sexual relationship.
Trump has denied having sex in public with Daniels and has condemned the probe as well as other criminal investigations that he faces as partisan witch huntings.
This March 17, 2011 file photo shows attorney Joseph Tacopina speaking to the media outside of New Haven Superior Court, Connecticut.
Since the grand jury was assembled in recent months and the likelihood of an indictment growing, questions have been raised as to whether Trump would resist surrendering if he was charged and what would happen if so.
Trump is protected by the U.S. Secret Service 24 hours a day. He currently resides at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. He rarely leaves.
Florida law states that the governor of the state is responsible for making sure that a person is arrested and transferred to another state when they are indicted on a felony charge.
However, Florida law also gives the governor the power to call for a further investigation before a defendant is extradited if that defendant refuses to comply with extradition.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is currently positioning himself as a potential contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
Trump declared himself a candidate last fall for the GOP nomination.
Even before that Trump and his allies have chafed at DeSantis’ popularity among fellow Republicans.
Cohen, who met 20 times with investigators over several years, testified for two days earlier this week to the grand jury. Daniels spoke to prosecutors via Zoom on Wednesday.
Cohen pleaded guilty previously to a federal criminal conspiracy charge related to the payment to Daniels. Trump said that Cohen directed him to do this to protect his chances of winning the White House in 2016.
This crime is the pivot of what could be Trump’s prosecution in the state Criminal Court in Manhattan.
New York state law prohibits companies from misclassifying the nature or expenses. For example, Cohen’s reimbursement for Daniels payments cannot be called “legal expenses”.
Violating that law can result in a misdemeanor charge. If the misstatement is made in coverup of another crime, it can lead to a felony charge.