2016 ELECTION/LEGAL/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Michael Cohen, personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, says that a month before the 2016 presidential election he paid $130,000 of his own money to porn star Stormy Daniels, who has in the past alleged she had a sexual encounter with Trump.
There is already a pending complaint filed before the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by the group Common Cause, alleging that a hush money payment to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Cliffords, by the Trump campaign would violate the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Common Cause also forwarded a copy of its complaint to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the DOJ’s Criminal Division and Public Integrity Section, requesting a criminal investigation.
Both the FEC and the Justice Department have jurisdiction over certain campaign laws, but Justice can additionally prosecute campaign act violations involving false information provided to the FEC. This includes a now-familiar charge known as “Section 1001,” or making a materially false statement to the federal government.
The FEC and the Justice Department can impose fines of up to double the amount paid ($260,000). The Justice Department also can criminally prosecute such crimes, which are punishable by up to five years in prison. Trump has denied that any encounter with Daniels took place. Any hush money paid to Daniels might have violated FECA reporting requirements, no matter the source.”
-Danny Cevallos, “Legal landmines could complicate Trump lawyer Cohen’s $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels,” NBC News, Feb. 15, 2018 10:23am