Former President Donald Trump's New York criminal trial enters third week with bank executive testimony

The third week of former President Donald Trump's New York criminal trial begins with ongoing testimony from bank executive Gary Farro, who served as the third witness in the case.

Farro revealed last Friday that Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, was his client when Cohen transferred $130,000 in "hush money" to Stormy Daniels' lawyer just days before the 2016 election. This payment was made through First Republic Bank, where Farro was employed at the time.

Details About the Payment

Farro's testimony shed light on the urgency with which Cohen conducted the transaction. On October 26, 2016, Cohen opened a bank account for a new corporation called Essential Consultants LLC, which was used to transfer the funds to Daniels' attorney. The payment was made in exchange for her silence regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, another witness in the trial, testified that Cohen and Trump were determined to suppress the story about Daniels, fearing its impact on Trump's presidential prospects.

Additionally, Trump's former executive assistant, Rhona Graff, testified that she kept a list of Trump's contacts, including one labeled "Stormy."

Prosecutors' Allegations

The prosecution contends that the arrangement was aimed at safeguarding Trump's campaign, and that Trump falsified records when repaying Cohen in an effort to conceal the alleged scheme. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to this case and maintains his plea of not guilty, refuting all accusations, including the claim of an extramarital encounter.