Investigation against Donald Trump: Prosecutor prepares witnesses for testimony

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Donald Trump (January 2020)

Photo: JOE RAEDLE / AFP

Just yesterday it became known that the Manhattan prosecutor had put together a jury group to decide on a possible charge in the Donald Trump case.

Now the next step follows: At least one witness has been asked to prepare to testify before this so-called Special Grand Jury.

The US broadcasters ABC and CNN, among others, report on this.

As with the jury composition, this development indicates that the investigation has reached a new level.

However, whether charges will actually be brought against the former US president, his company or possible executives is still completely open.

The jury is expected to meet three times a week for six months and come to a decision after this period.

Trump himself called the establishment of the Special Grand Jury in an initial reaction a "continuation of the greatest witch hunt in American history."

"This is purely political and an affront to the nearly 75 million voters who supported me in the presidential election," he said on Tuesday.

From hush money to balance sheet issues

Manhattan prosecutor Cyrus Vance is investigating, among other things, the alleged hush money payments that Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and former playmate Karen McDougal.

Both women claim to have had affairs with Trump.

This denies.

Meanwhile, however, Vance's investigations go beyond the Daniels and McDougal cases.

Manhattan Attorney's Office partners with New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

She began an investigation after Cohen testified before the US Congress that the value of some assets had been increased in Trump's financial statements to save money on loans and insurance.

In addition, other assets were reported too low to reduce real estate taxes.

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