Los Angeles Times: Trump’s lawyer secretly recorded him; tape reveals discussion of payment to ex-Playboy playmate who alleged an affair
Los Angeles Times: Trump's lawyer secretly recorded him; tape reveals discussion of payment to ex-Playboy playmate who alleged an affair
Federal authorities have obtained a recording, made two months before the presidential election, of Donald Trump discussing a payment to a former Playboy playmate who said she had an affair with him, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. …
It could also increase Trump’s legal risks. If a payment was made with a political purpose — for example, to conceal embarrassing information shortly before the election — federal campaign finance law would have required that it be publicly disclosed. Failure to do so can be a criminal offense in some circumstances.
“What did Donald Trump know and when did he know it?” said Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance expert at Common Cause, which has filed complaints with the Justice Department and Federal Election Commission. “Did Donald Trump knowingly violate campaign finance law, and did he commit a crime?”
The recording is a reminder of the deep danger posed to Trump from the investigation into Cohen, who was privy to his personal secrets as the person tasked with tamping down negative publicity.