Hush money trial: Prosecutors say Trump engaged in ‘criminal’ scheme, subsequent cover-up

In former US president Donald Trump’s hush money trial, prosecutors in their opening statement Monday (Apr 22) said he indeed engaged in a “criminal” scheme and subsequent cover-up.

“This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a coverup,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors in a Manhattan court in attendance of the former president.

Earlier, Trump arrived at the New York courthouse where prosecutors explained why the alleged hush money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential elections amounted to a crime and warranted charges.

As per allegations, Trump made payments to porn starStormy Daniels through his then-attorney Michael Cohen.

Prosecutors saidCohen made the payment "at the defendant's direction, and did it to influence the election."

An attorney from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said the reimbursements were part of a scheme that amounted to "election fraud, pure and simple."

David Pecker called as first witness

Prosecutorsalso called David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., or AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, as their first witness to the stand.Pecker is facing allegations that he helpedTrump during the 2016 campaign by burying negative stories about him and attacking his rivals.

Watch:US: Opening statements set to begin in Donald Trump's hush money case trial

Pecker. while being in the stand, flashed a broad smile at the court, defying the gravity of the moment.

Pecker would return for the testimony tomorrow.

The defence's statement

Trump's attorney Todd Blanche delivered the defence's opening statement, saying the jury is "going to learn that this was not a payback."

Blanche added that the money paid toCohen was forhis services as Trump's personal attorney, not as reimbursement for the Daniels payment.

"There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It's called democracy. They've put something sinister on this idea, as if it was a crime," Blanche continued. "President Trump fought back like he always does, and like he's entitled to do. To protect his family, his reputation and his brand. And that is not a crime."

Blanche then trained hisguns on Cohen, saying he was"obsessed" with Trump and had been for "many, many years." He also claimed that the former attorney tried to throw Trump under the bus when he faced federal charges.

He argued that Cohen decided "to blame President Trump for all of his problems" when he was arrested on federal charges in 2018.

"I submit to you that he cannot be trusted," the defence stated.

(With inputs from agencies)