FILE - Former President Donald J. Trump watches the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) Sue Ogrocki

By The Associated Press

Lawyer: Trump indicted; 1st ex-president charged with crime

Mar 30, 2023 | 4:14 PM

A lawyer for Donald Trump said Thursday he’s been told that the former president has been indicted in New York on charges involving payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter.

It becomes the first ever criminal case against a former U.S. president and a jolt to Trump’s bid to retake the White House in 2024.

Joe Tacopina, a lawyer for Trump, told The Associated Press he had been told that a grand jury that had been meeting for months voted to indict Trump. The specific charges were not immediately made public.

Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing and has attacked the investigation, was expected to surrender to authorities next week, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss a matter that remained under seal.

The grand jury indictment of Trump, 76, is an extraordinary development after years of investigations into his business, political and personal dealings. It is likely to galvanize critics who say Trump lied and cheated his way to the top and embolden supporters who feel the Republican is being unfairly targeted by a Democratic prosecutor.

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

11m ago

Business and Economy

Investment and development firm that bought Cornerstone acquires South Hill Mall

1h ago

education

Auditor finds non-compliance with international trip, credit card and expense claims at Northlands College

5h ago

____

Associated Press writer Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.