A tabloid chief claimed he was told “the boss” would take care of hush money payments to conceal damaging stories about Donald Trump’s infidelities from the press.
David Pecker told Mr Trump’s criminal trial in New York that he had paid $150,000 to a former Playboy model, with whom the then-Republican candidate allegedly had an affair, along with $30,000 to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to know of an illegitimate child fathered by Mr Trump.
Mr Pecker, a former publisher of the National Enquirer, said Michael Cohen, Mr Trump’s “fixer”, instructed him to make the payments.
He said he responded: “Michael, why would I pay? I just paid $30,000 for the doorman story… now you’re asking me to spend $150,000… who is going to reimburse me?’
“He said again: ‘Don’t worry about it, I’m your friend, the boss will take care of it.’”
Mr Pecker said he took this to mean Mr Trump would pay him back, either through the Trump Organisation or out of his own pocket. Mr Cohen did not seem to be able to make payments without his boss’ approval, he added.
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