Former Trump Organization Employee Testifies in Manhattan Trial, Revealing Details of Hush Money Payments

The trial of Donald Trump in Manhattan continued with the testimony of Jeffrey McConney, a former employee of the Trump Organization. McConney, who served as a financial controller, was identified by prosecutors as a key figure in arranging a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with the former president.

McConney's Testimony

McConney recounted his interactions with the Trump Organization's former chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, stating that they had a close relationship and would have lunch together daily. In contrast, he described his relationship with the former president's ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, as less close, categorically stating that Cohen claimed to be a lawyer.

In his testimony, McConney revealed that in 2017, Trump informed him that Cohen was owed money, part of which was designated as a bonus, while the remainder was referred to as "other money." This "other money" was intended for the hush payment and allegedly misclassified in business records as "legal expenses" to cover the taxes Cohen would incur.

Trump's Involvement

McConney's testimony, spanning his employment since 1987, included a warning from Trump against paying his bills without attempting to negotiate for a lower payment. This assertion could potentially support the prosecution's claim of Trump's direct involvement in any effort to misrepresent the payments to Cohen.

Furthermore, an email presented to the jurors indicated discussions about the payments to Cohen "as per agreement with Don and Eric," alluding to Donald Trump and his son Eric. McConney testified that he had emailed Cohen in 2017, requesting him to submit invoices for the money, with the subject line reading: "$$."