The New York TimesThe New York Times

A surprise accusation bolsters a risky case against Trump

By Charlie Savage

05 Apr 2023 · 5 min read

The charges against Donald Trump accuse him of falsifying records in part to lay the groundwork for planned lies to tax authorities, the NYT reports. That may strengthen the case for the prosecution.

Curated by informed

WASHINGTON — The unsealed indictment against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday laid out an unexpected accusation that bolstered what many legal experts have described as an otherwise risky and novel case: Prosecutors claim he falsified business records in part for a plan to deceive state tax authorities.

For weeks, observers have wondered about the exact charges Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would bring. Accusing Trump of bookkeeping fraud to conceal campaign finance violations, many believed, could raise significant legal challenges. That accusation turned out to be a major part of Bragg’s theory — but not all of it.

The news, curated.

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