The Unveiling of Donald Trump's Legal Affairs: A Comprehensive Update

Former President Donald Trump has spent a significant part of the year campaigning amidst his numerous court appearances.

However, opting to be present on the initial day of his $250 million civil fraud trial in New York presented him with another chance to be on-camera inside the courtroom as photographers were permitted to capture the moment prior to the start of the proceedings. Managing the multitude of civil and criminal cases requires constant attention.

He is charged with crimes related to conduct:

Before his presidency - a hush money scheme that may have helped him win the White House in 2016.

During his tenure as president, he made significant attempts to retain his position in the White House by contesting the results of the 2020 election.

Subsequent to his presidency, he faced scrutiny for his handling of classified information, with allegations of potential efforts to conceal it from the National Archives.

Trump maintains his innocence and has entered a not guilty plea in all of the criminal cases he faces. He claims to be a victim of an unjust persecution, often referring to it as a "witch hunt." However, it is important to note that each trial unfolds with its own unique narrative. Here is a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in Trump's intricate legal battles, starting with the ongoing proceedings in Manhattan.

New York state civil court: $250 million fraud case

While Trump's multiple criminal indictments pose the risk of felony conviction and jail time, the civil fraud trial could potentially result in the loss of some of his most valued assets, such as Trump Tower.

In September 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $250 million lawsuit against Trump and his co-defendants, accusing them of engaging in fraudulent activities by exaggerating the value of their assets on financial statements. This alleged misconduct aimed to obtain more favorable terms on commercial real estate loans and insurance policies. A ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron has already held Trump and his adult sons accountable for fraudulently inflating the worth of their golf courses, hotels, and residences in order to secure loans.

The trial segment of the lawsuit, unfolding in a Manhattan courtroom, will determine the extent of the damages to be imposed on Trump and the potential ramifications of Engorons's decision to revoke Trump's New York business licenses.

Federal civil court in New York: E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit

In May, a federal jury in Manhattan determined that Trump had committed sexual abuse against former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in a dressing room at a luxury department store in the mid-1990s. The jury awarded her a sum of approximately $5 million.

A separate lawsuit focusing on civil defamation will solely determine the amount of compensation Trump is obligated to pay to Carroll. This case is scheduled for January 15, coinciding with the Iowa Republicans' caucuses, which marks the first event on the presidential primary calendar.

Federal criminal court in DC: 2020 election Interference

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, President Trump faced legal scrutiny as he was indicted by a federal grand jury in special counsel Jack Smith's investigation. Taking place in a Washington, DC courtroom, the former president pled not guilty during the arraignment.

The case is partly centered around a plot to form fraudulent groups of electors in crucial states that President Joe Biden had won.

In late September, Judge Tanya Chutkan turned down Trump's appeal for her to withdraw from the case. Chutkan, who was appointed by Barack Obama, has presided over legal proceedings concerning both civil and criminal matters associated with the insurrection on January 6, 2021. Additionally, she has consistently handed down prison sentences that have gone beyond what the prosecutors originally sought for convicted rioters.

New York criminal court: Hush money payments

Trump is facing 34 felony charges in Manhattan criminal court for falsifying business records connected to his involvement in a hush money payment scheme during the 2016 presidential campaign. These charges specifically revolve around his dealings with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Despite the allegations, the former president maintains his innocence and entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment in April.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his team of prosecutors allege that Trump falsified business records in an attempt to conceal $130,000 in payments made by his former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, to ensure Daniels' silence regarding an alleged affair. Trump has consistently denied any involvement in a relationship with Daniels.

The trial was originally scheduled to begin in late March 2024, but Judge Juan Merchan has suggested the date could move. The next court date is scheduled for February.

Georgia criminal court: Efforts to overturn election results

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has filed racketeering charges against Trump and 18 others for their involvement in a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy aimed at overturning Biden's victory in Georgia.

The investigation began in 2021 after Trump's phone conversation in January with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, during which the president exerted pressure on the Republican official to "discover" votes that would reverse the election outcome.

The August indictment also mentions allegations of Trump's team misleading state officials in Georgia, orchestrating fake electors, harassing an election worker, and tampering with election equipment in rural Coffee County, Georgia. In the case, co-defendant Scott Hall, a bail bondsman, has already pleaded guilty to five counts.

Fulton County prosecutors have indicated their willingness to propose plea bargains to other co-defendants. This week, Willis served a subpoena to Bernard Kerik, a former New York City Police Commissioner and ally of Trump, who requested immunity in return for providing testimony.

Trial for two co-defendants is expected to begin this month and could last three to five months. A trial date has not been set for Trump, who has pleaded not guilty.

Federal criminal court in Florida: Mishandling classified material

Trump has entered a plea of not guilty to 37 federal charges filed by Smith regarding the alleged mishandling of classified documents. In a superseding indictment, Smith has included three additional counts.

The focus of the investigation revolves around the sensitive documents that Trump transported to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida following the conclusion of his term in the White House in January 2021.

The National Archives, responsible for the collection and organization of presidential material, previously stated that they retrieved a minimum of 15 boxes of White House records from Mar-a-Lago, which included certain classified records.

In a meeting held in Bedminster, New Jersey in 2021, Trump was recorded discussing the possession of undisclosed documents that he had not authorized for declassification.

Smiths have accused Trump and his staff of trying to erase Mar-a-Lago security footage, which the grand jury investigating the mishandling of records is interested in.

The trial is anticipated to take place in May, after the majority of the presidential primaries have ended.

There are other cases to note:

Trump Organization: Convicted of criminal tax fraud

The Trump Organization, Donald Trump's business, was convicted in December by a New York jury of tax fraud, grand larceny, and falsifying business records. Prosecutors alleged that for 15 years, the organization had deliberately defrauded tax authorities by not reporting and paying taxes on the compensation given to employees. During the trial, Manhattan prosecutors presented evidence of a scheme within the Trump Organization where high-level executives were provided with benefits like luxury cars and apartments without any taxes being paid on them.

January 6: Lawsuits by police officers

Multiple US Capitol Police and Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police officers are filing lawsuits against Trump, alleging that his words and actions instigated the 2021 riot.

These legal actions charge Trump with ordering assault and battery, assisting and encouraging assault and battery, and breaching Washington laws that forbid the provocation of riots and disorderly conduct.

Trump requested to postpone the lawsuit regarding the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick in August, citing his multiple ongoing criminal trials. The estate of Sicknick, who tragically passed away while responding to the Capitol attack, is taking legal action against two individuals involved in the riot and Trump himself, alleging that he played a role in instigating it.

Furthermore, other lawsuits have been halted as a federal appeals court deliberates on whether Trump had complete immunity as the incumbent president.

Personal retaliation: Peter Strzok lawsuit

Fired in 2018 for criticizing Trump in text messages, Peter Strzok, a former top FBI counterintelligence official, has filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department claiming wrongful termination.

In the summer of 2017, special counsel Robert Mueller removed Strzok from his team investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. This action was taken after an internal investigation revealed texts between Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, which were seen as displaying political bias. Strzok, along with Page, became frequent subjects of verbal attacks by Trump and his allies, as part of the larger criticism the then-president directed towards the FBI during the Russia investigation. Trump continuously and publicly demanded Strzok's removal until he was eventually fired in August 2018.

Trump is set to be deposed this month as part of the case, according to Politico.

Trump lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, Democrats, ex-FBI officials is dismissed

US District Judge Donald Middlebrooks wrote that Trump's lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, ex-FBI officials, and multiple others, accusing them of conspiring to undermine his 2016 campaign with fabricated information linking him to Russia, lacked substance, proper legal support, and relied heavily on excessive length, hyperbole, and personal vendettas.

Trump appealed the ruling, however, Middlebrooks determined that the ex-president and his legal representatives are responsible for sanctions amounting to almost $1 million for initiating the lawsuit. Making a desperate attempt, Trump made a last-ditch effort in July to resurrect the extensive lawsuit, basing his arguments on a recent report by special counsel John Durham that condemned the FBI's investigation into Trump's alleged ties to Russia.

Trump victory in Michael Cohens retaliation suit

Cohen, the former lawyer of Trump, filed a lawsuit against Trump, as well as former Attorney General William Barr and several others. He accuses them of deliberately sending him back to prison in order to hinder him from publicizing his forthcoming book while serving his sentence at home.

Cohen served the rest of his sentence for lying to Congress and campaign violations at home due to Covid-19 concerns. During the summer of 2020, he initiated an anti-Trump social media campaign. In retaliation, Cohen claims that he was sent back to prison and endured 16 days in solitary confinement. However, in November, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit. District Judge Lewis Liman expressed sympathy towards Cohen but explained that Supreme Court precedent prevents the case from proceeding.

Trump-filed lawsuits: Bob Woodward

Trump sued journalist Bob Woodward in January for alleged copyright violations, claiming Woodward released audio from their interviews without Trumps consent.

Woodward and publisher Simon & Schuster have deemed Trump's case to be lacking in merit and have requested its dismissal.

Woodward interviewed Trump extensively for his book "Rage," which was published in September 2020. Subsequently, Woodward released "The Trump Tapes," an audiobook that includes eight hours of unedited interviews with Trump, along with the author's commentary.

Trump-filed lawsuits: The New York Times, Mary Trump and CNN

CNN's $475 million lawsuit filed by Donald Trump was recently dismissed by a federal judge in Florida. Trump claimed that the network defamed him by associating him with Adolf Hitler and using the phrase "Big Lie."

The New York Times was dismissed from Trump's lawsuit seeking disclosure of his tax returns. The judge ordered Trump to pay the legal fees of the newspaper. However, Trump is still suing his niece Mary Trump for the disclosure of the tax documents. Mary had previously attempted to sue Trump for defrauding her out of millions after the death of his father, but her suit was dismissed. This report includes contributions from CNN's Kara Scannell, Tierney Sneed, Katelyn Polantz, and Marshall Cohen.