Trump's legal fate hinges on a rarely discussed white-collar crime.
Several hot-button legal inquiries loom over former President Donald Trump -- everything from election interference and misuse of classified documents to defamation of a writer after an alleged rape.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
However, the indictment and arraignment of Trump earlier this week, the first for an ex-president in U.S. history, has drawn the nation's attention to a rarely discussed white-collar financial crime: falsifying business records.
As part of a scheme to reimburse former Trump attorney Michael Cohen for hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, Trump fraudulently recorded $130,000 in expenses as the cost of legal services for Cohen, the indictment alleges.
In Manhattan criminal court, Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to all 34 counts of falsifying business records. He has denied having sex with Daniels.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg characterized the validity of business records as fundamental to a well-functioning economy.
"This is the business capital of the world," he said. "The bedrock, in fact the basis, for business integrity and a well-functioning business marketplace is true and accurate record keeping."
Here's what to know about the crime of falsifying business records and the typical penalties, according to interviews...
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