31 Mar From NBC News and WCME–Trump Indicted
A grand jury in New York City voted Thursday to indict Donald Trump— the first time a former president has faced criminal charges.
The historic indictment comes in a case centered on $130,000 in payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels claimed she slept with the married Trump in 2006, a claim he has denied. Trump had classified his reimbursement of the payout as a legal expense.
A spokesperson for the Manhattan DA’s office confirmed the indictment in a statement Thursday night.
“This evening we contacted Mr. Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for arraignment on a [state] Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal,” the spokesperson said. “Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected.” (Supreme Court is the name of New York state’s highest trial court.)
Trump attorney Susan Necheles told NBC News that Trump, who lives in Florida, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday. He is expected to surrender to the Manhattan DA’s office, Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said earlier Thursday.
“President Trump has been indicted. He did not commit any crime. We will vigorously fight this political prosecution in Court,” Necheles and Tacopina said in a joint statement.
The tentative plan is for Trump to appear before acting Justice Juan Merchan after 2:15 p.m. Tuesday for his felony arraignment, two officials familiar with the matter said. Merchan presided over the DA’s successful tax fraud prosecution of Trump’s company last year.