- The Manhattan grand jury handling the hush money case of former President Donald Trump is not expected to issue a decision on an indictment this week
- Trump repeatedly denies having a relationship with Stormy Daniels
- Former Vice President Mike Pence could testify against Trump in the Capitol riot investigation
The Manhattan grand jury handling former United States President Donald Trump's hush money case and potential indictment is not expected to issue a verdict this week.
Sources said that as of Tuesday afternoon, Alvin Bragg, the district attorney of Manhattan, was expected to convene the panel again on Thursday. At that time, the group is set to address matters unrelated to Trump and adult film star Stormy Daniels. This was the same situation last week during a scheduled meeting that was suddenly called off.
The Indictment of Donald Trump
On Monday, the Manhattan grand jury also heard testimony from the former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. That particular hearing was his second time appearing before the grand jury, as per NBC New York.
Pecker's testimony was meant to corroborate Michael Cohen's claim that the $130,000 hush money payment made to Daniels was not personal but political. He also said that the money was made to catch and kill a story severely affecting the former president's election run.
American Media Inc. (AMI), one of the companies that Pecker worked at before, admitted in 2018 to paying $150,000 in husky money to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and Daniels. In a statement of admitted facts, they said that AMI's original purpose in profiting was to suppress the woman's story and stop it from influencing the election.
Previously, federal prosecutors granted Pecker immunity in their investigation of Cohen. One week before the former National Enquirer publisher's recent appearance, Robert Costello, an ally of Trump, testified to the grand jury in an attempt to discredit Cohen's claims.
Denying the Claims
In connection to the $130,000 payment made to Daniels and other crimes, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison. According to NBC News, the former president has repeatedly claimed that he did not have an affair with the adult film star and denied any wrongdoing about the payment.
During an interview on Monday, Trump said he never had a relationship with Daniels, calling all of the accusations made up. He added that the payment made to the adult film star was not meant to be a campaign contribution and accused Bragg of conducting a probe that was simply an effort at cheating in elections and was controlled by his rivals.
The situation comes as former Vice President Mike Pence is being sought after for testimony regarding the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot investigation focusing on Trump. The case aims to determine the former president's role in inciting the Capitol building's storming.
Pence's testimony was meant to detail conversations he had with his former boss leading up to the attack on Congress. All of his actions that were part of his duties as president of the Senate were considered privileged, said the Independent.
Related Article: David Pecker Testifies Before Manhattan Grand Jury
