Trump’s Lawyers Prepare New York Appeal of 34-Felony Conviction
Appeal focuses on presidential actions
In an Oct. 16 filing, Trump’s attorney Robert Giuffra argued that the case should not have been brought. Giuffra is co-chair of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.
The appeal asks whether White House statements and strategy introduced at trial were official acts. Giuffra said those actions responded to public accusations about Trump’s personal conduct and his fitness for office.
Payment and conviction details
A unanimous jury convicted Trump in May 2024 of falsifying business records. The records concerned reimbursements to Cohen, who was Trump’s attorney at the time.
Prosecutors and judge’s view
Lawyers for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg have described the 2016 plan as a conspiracy to deceive the American public and government regulators. The appeal arguments are scheduled for Thursday in New York.
The arguments follow the death of a judge who had overseen Trump’s parallel, yearslong effort to move the case from state court to criminal court. Judge Hellerstein wrote that reimbursing Cohen and disguising the payment as a business expense did not relate to a presidential duty.
Key points
- A jury convicted Trump of 34 felonies in May 2024.
- Trump’s lawyers are scheduled to argue the appeal Thursday in New York.
- Cohen paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election.
- Trump denies the allegations about an encounter with Daniels.