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Former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Pomerantz has conducted a sweeping investigation into former President Donald Trump, whom he compares to notorious mob boss John Gotti in a new book, which is coming out as a grand jury considers new criminal charges against Trump. The New York Times reported.
FILE – Attorney Mark Pomerantz arrives at federal court in New York August 12, 2002. Pomerantz writes … [+]
Important facts
Trump engaged in “a pattern of criminal activity” and demanded “absolute loyalty” from his associates while always appearing to be one step ahead of the law,” Pomerantz reportedly writes in his forthcoming book People vs. Donald Trump to be released this month.
Pomerantz claimed that in his legal career he “met only one other person who touched all of those foundations”: John Gotti, the head of the Gambino organized crime family.
Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopino, has threatened legal action against Pomerantz over the allegations in his book The times in a statement that “inserting the name of John Gotti seems like another desperate attempt” to sell books.
The book comes as Manhattan prosecutors have reportedly convened a grand jury to review charges against Trump over his role in hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
key background
Pomerantz resigned from the Manhattan Attorney’s Office last year for belatedly filing charges against Trump for allegedly inflating the value of his assets in loan applications. The release of his forthcoming book follows Trump’s announcement of a third presidential bid and as Trump faces ongoing investigations into his business practices and handling of classified government documents after leaving office. The Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation, dating back to 2019, has netted tax fraud convictions against the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg for failing to report compensation to evade taxes.
What to look out for
A grand jury will consider over the next six months whether Trump should be indicted for his role in hush money payments to Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The times reported last month. Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to campaign finance and tax evasion charges in the 2018 case. The grand jury is reportedly considering whether Trump illegally covered up the $130,000 payment Cohen made to Daniels in exchange for her silence about their 2006 affair — money the Trump Organization allegedly reimbursed to Cohen.
Further reading
Manhattan prosecutor insists Trump criminal investigation is ongoing despite high-profile resignations (Forbes)
Trump could be indicted over stormy Daniels payments as Manhattan DA reportedly convenes grand jury (Forbes)
Trump organization to pay $1.6 million for tax fraud (Forbes)
