'Deadly serious': Legal expert warns Trump not to overlook delayed criminal case
Donald Trump’s New York criminal case involving accusations of hush money paid to an adult film star who claimed she had an affair with him before he became president has largely been overshadowed by Jack Smith's investigations — but it should not be overlooked, according to a new legal analysis.
Joyce Vance, a former U.S. Attorney and legal expert for MSNBC, released this week a massive guide to Trump’s multiple civil and criminal cases — that includes an important note about the one that has recently been less-covered in New York City.
“This case is frequently discounted as being less serious than others,” writes Vance. “That seems like a mistake.”
As a refresher, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in March charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments allegedly made to Stormy Daniels and others during his 2016 presidential campaign.
If convicted, Trump could spend a presidential term in prison — 4 years.
“The basis for the charge,” writes Vance, “that Trump falsified New York business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters, is deadly serious.”
Bragg was the first to indict the former president, but with a court date of March 25, he’s second in line for the criminal cases against Trump after Special Counsel Jack Smith’s federal election interference case slated to begin on March 4.
Vance argues Bragg’s willingness to concede the calendar should not be taken as a sign of weakness.
“Bragg is a capable prosecutor,” writes Vance. “While he has shown a willingness to let one of the cases more central to January 6 proceed ahead of his, I would not mistake that for a lack of confidence in his case.”
Vance is not the first legal expert to speak up for Bragg’s abilities as he prepares to face off against Trump.
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A September analysis from Norm Eisen, Andrew Weissmann, and Josh Kolb argued Bragg’s ability to revive an investigation that came up with no charges showcased his ability to out-maneuver Trump’s legal teams.
Like Vance, the trio also pointed to Bragg’s deft filing coordination with other prosecutors pursuing criminal charges against Trump.
"This is only the latest in a series of shrewd and successful moves by Bragg that have largely gone unnoticed by the media and the public," the legal experts said.
"Bragg has demonstrated true statesmanship — staying the course, continuing the investigation, pushing forward in spite of external (and some internal) sniping.”