Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass delivered a compelling closing argument to the jury, focusing on key elements of the case involving the 'Access Hollywood' tape and Michael Cohen's bank accounts.
'Access Hollywood' Tape
Steinglass emphasized the impact of the 'Access Hollywood' tape, describing it as so explosive that it overshadowed coverage of a Category 4 hurricane. The tape, recorded in 2005 and leaked in 2016, captured graphic language used by Donald Trump as he discussed his interactions with women. The prosecutor highlighted how adult film star Stormy Daniels could have undermined Trump's attempts to downplay the tape.
'Extortion' Narrative
Steinglass disputed the defense's claim that Daniels' story began as an extortion attempt. He pointed out that negotiations involving National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard and Daniels' former manager did not implicate Cohen or Trump directly. The prosecutor suggested that AMI was acting as a conduit for the Trump campaign.
Cohen's Bank Accounts
Steinglass revealed falsified paperwork submitted by Cohen to open bank accounts for facilitating payments. The prosecutor detailed a call between Cohen and Trump regarding the transfer of funds to Daniels' attorney, highlighting discrepancies in the accounts opened by Cohen.
Trump on AMI Deal
Steinglass accused Trump of lying about his knowledge of the AMI deal involving Karen McDougal. He referenced a tape from September and testimony from AMI CEO David Pecker to support his claim that Trump was aware of the deal before it became public. Pecker testified that Trump expressed displeasure when the McDougal story emerged.
The closing argument provided a comprehensive overview of the evidence presented in the trial, shedding light on the complex web of relationships and transactions under scrutiny.
