Manhattan prosecutors invited Donald Trump to testify before the grand jury investigating his alleged financial fraud relating to his payment of $130,000 to cover up an extramarital affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, the New York Times reports on a sign that the grand jury investigation is coming to an end and that indictments are forthcoming.
The case involves charges of fraud that could lead to up to a four-year prison sentence if Trump is convicted, which is a certainty should Trump get indicted by the grand jury. The grand jury could choose to indict on a misdemeanor or if they believe Trump acted with “intent to defraud” in order to commit or coverup a crime, it could be elevated to a felony. Michael Cohen, Trump’s attorney at the time who has already served jail time for his involvement in the scheme to keep Daniels quiet prior to the 2016 election, is expected to testify before the grand jury next week. Trump funneled the money to pay Daniels through Cohen, who was paid hundreds of thousands from Trump for his help.