Trump's lawyer Bove: Yesterday you said AMI admitted to a campaign finance violation - but there's no violation in this agreement, correct?
@MatthewLeeICP @sdnylive Trump's lawyer Bove: The non-prosecution agreement was kept secret for a time, wasn't it, to allow AMI to talk to its financial institutions? Pecker: I'm a little confused. Bove: But this statement of facts, you approved it, yes? Pecker: Yes.
Trump's lawyer Bove: Do you remember that AMI's lawyer said that paragraph 3 was inaccurate? Pecker: No. Bove: Show the parties, the court and Mr. Pecker the notes... This was not passed on, that it was inaccurate? Prosecutor: Objection! Justice Merchan: Sustained
Trump's lawyer Bove: You claim Michael Cohen told you, Trump has Jeff Session in his pocket - but you were still concerned, right? Pecker: I was. Bove: Because President Trump did *not* have Jeff Session in his pocket, correct? Prosecution: Objection! Sustained.
Trump's lawyer Bove: AMI entered into a conciliation agreement with the FEC, right? Pecker: I was no longer with AMI by then. Bove: Bu you were a consultant to AMI, correct? Pecker: I was. Bove What did that entail. Pecker, Being available to the new CEO
Trump's lawyer Bove: You suggested to the FEC that the Washington Post had suppressed information about Paula Jones in the 1996 election, right? Prosecutor: Objection! Justice Merchant: Sustained.
Trump's lawyer Bove: You found that the boxes in Florida were worthless, that there is no secret trove of documents about Donald Trump at the National Enquirer? Pecker: Right. The boxes were worthless. Bove: Nothing further. Justice Merchan: Redirect
Prosecutor Steinglass: You testified that prior to signing the contract with Ms. McDougal, you spoke with counsel about it, right? Pecker: I did. Steinglass: But you never told the outside counsel about your meeting at Trump Tower, yes? Pecker: I did not
Prosecutor Steinglass: Was it your purpose in entering the contract with Ms. McDougal to kill her story, to influence the election? Pecker: Yes. Steinglass: Did you tell counsel that Michael Cohen had said he would reimburse you? Pecker: I did not
Prosecutor Steinglass: How much time did outside counsel bill AMI for for reviewing the Karen Douglas contract? Pecker: Half an hour. Steinglass: While you initially denied the violation, you did eventually settle with the FEC, right? Pecker: Yes.
Prosecutor Steinglass: So did you and AMI admit that you violated campaign finance laws? Trump's lawyer Bove: I object - asked and answered. Justice Merchan: Overruled. Do you want to approach? [Whispered sidebar ensues]
Prosecutor Steinglass: Apologies Mr Pecker, even I don't remember what the question was... You testified you formulated a plan to sell Ms. McDougal's life right to Mr. Cohen - but did you then speak with AMI's general counsel? Pecker: Yes. Then I said, Deal is off