Trump Broke Law By Not Reporting Porn Star Stormy Daniels Payment, Groups Claim

[highplainsdem]

Source: Law & Crime

Two complaints filed today accuse President Donald Trump and his 2016 campaign of violating federal campaign finance laws by not reporting $130,000 in hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The complaints in question were filed by non-profit and nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause, which was founded in 1970 by Republican John W. Gardner. One complaint was filed with the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) while another was filed with the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”).

-snip-

[div class="excerspt"]Specifically, based on publicly available data and published reports, complainants have reason to believe that the payment of $130,000 from Essential Consultants LLC to Ms. Stephanie Clifford [Stormy Daniels’ given name] was an unreported in-kind contribution to President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign committee, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., and an unreported expenditure by the committee—because the funds were paid for the purpose of influencing the 2016 presidential general election.

-snip-

The complaint filed with the DOJ–and addressed to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein–restates those same causes of action filed with the FEC while additionally claiming Trump, his campaign and their satellites and/or associates committed “knowing and willful” violations of campaign finance laws–and that such actions fall under the DOJ’s jurisdiction.

-snip-

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/trump/complaints-claim-trump-broke-law-by-not-reporting-stormy-daniels-payment/

[marble falls]

1. Where did the $130,000 come from, campaign funds, Trump charity - where?

[jmowreader]

2. My bet is the KGB

[marble falls]

4. I truly wish that's true.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. Don't think they know yet...my guess is that they

would have to have a subpoena to see the bank records for Essential LLC to trace deposit...

[marble falls]

6. I think that information is forthcoming. This might be the first crime to be proven against Trump...

the first in a long line.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Where do you think it came from?

Trump foundation? Campaign coffers?

One place I know it didn't come from - his own wallet.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Public Advocacy groups keep right on ticking

One of these days they're going to hit paydirt

[BobTheSubgenius]

7. Seems like a bit of a long shot to me.

But anything that can put them off balance, even a little, is more than fine by me. Even some PR ink is worthwhile.

[C Moon]

8. Add it to the list.

[lastlib]

9. Strongly suggest Dems make some contributions to Common Cause....

They are going to be attacked RUTHLESSLY for this--they need resources to defend themselves.

Donate here

[MrPurple]

10. Wasn't John Edwards charged for doing this?

[Bradical79]

13. Sort of

Edwards took nearly a $1 million from a couple wealthy supporters to pay her off, and falsified documentation of what the money was for. She also worked for his campaign, so not sure if that changed matters.

With Trump, we don't yet know enough of the details of where the money came from or how it was moved to say how similiar it was beyond the very general intent. It's defenitely something that should be looked into, though. Even taking Trump out of the equation, any presidential candidate paying hush money to individuals for any reason and by any method is a big problem, imo.

[area51]

11. I'm sure judicial watch will get right on this.

[oberliner]

12. If the president does it, that means it's not illegal

Frost-Nixon.

[TheBlackAdder]

14. Several times I saw this article on the main page, and subliminally thought "Tom Brokaw" at first.

[Vinca]

15. How many more payments were there?

According to "Fire & Fury," Trump's attorney "took care" of 100 women.