With the leading members of his past legal team having joined the Trump administration Justice Department, President Donald Trump has restocked lawyers to lead the appeal of the "legal expense" conviction in New York state.
Trump's lawyers filed a notice of appeal Wednesday, asking the state's mid-level appeals court to overturn his conviction last May on 34 counts of falsifying business records by calling payments to former attorney Michael Cohen a "legal expense."
Todd Blanche and Emil Bove represented Trump during last spring's trial, and the appeal in New York was filed Wednesday as Trump is now in the White House and Blanche faces confirmation as deputy attorney general. Bove is acting deputy attorney general before Blanche's confirmation and will be DOJ's No. 3 once he is in place.
Robert Giuffra is a leading member of the restocked Trump team from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP law firm, which will include four former Supreme Court clerks James McDonald, Morgan Ratner, John Wall, and Matthew Schwartz, Politico reported Wednesday.
"President Donald J. Trump's appeal is important for the rule of law, New York's reputation as a global business, financial, and legal center, as well as for the presidency and all public officials," Giuffra wrote in a statement. "The misuse of the criminal law by the Manhattan DA to target President Trump sets a dangerous precedent, and we look forward to the case being dismissed on appeal."
Giuffra was bandied about as a potential next attorney general, a role that was given to Pam Bondi. She was confirmed by the Senate.
Trump is appealing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case of 34 felony accounts for having filed payments to former attorney Michael Cohen as "legal expenses."
Judge Juan Merchan unconditionally discharged a sentence against Trump on Jan. 10, leaving his conviction on the books but sparing him jail, probation, a fine or other punishment. The legal team's appeal seeks to expunge the Democrat-sought "convicted felon" tag for the president.
A notice of appeal starts the appeals process in New York. Trump's lawyers will have an opportunity to expand on their grievances in subsequent court filings.
The Manhattan district attorney's office, which prosecuted the case, will have a chance to respond in court papers. A message seeking comment was left with the office Wednesday.
Appearing by video at his sentencing, Trump called the case a "political witch hunt," "a weaponization of government," and "an embarrassment to New York."
Trump denied any wrongdoing. He and his attorneys said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses.
"For this I got indicted," Trump said at his sentencing. "It's incredible, actually."
Trump will not be able to pardon himself. Trump's case was tried in state court, but presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes.
Information from The Associated Press was used to compile this report.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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