Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released a 34-count felony indictment against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, accusing him of falsifying business records. In a separate statement of facts, Bragg alleged that Trump's alleged hush money payment was made to influence the election — not to save face in front of his family.
Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina floated the "Melania defense" last month, arguing that the payment, which itself is not illegal, was intended to prevent "embarrassment" to Trump and his wife rather than to aid his campaign.
