Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made history on May 31, 2024, when a jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to an adult-film actress. The trial marked the first time an American president had been indicted and convicted in criminal court.
Bragg, born and raised in Harlem, attended Trinity and Harvard before earning a juris doctor degree from Harvard Law. He thanked his staff for their patience and hard work after the conviction.
The case against Trump involved payments made to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office argued that these payments were intended to suppress damaging information about Trump's extramarital affair with Daniels, which could have affected the outcome of the election.
Bragg faced criticism from some quarters for bringing the case against Trump. Some commentators questioned whether it was a politically motivated prosecution or a misuse of resources. However, Bragg and his team remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice.
The conviction came after several high-profile cases involving public figures, including former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and former Trump advisor Paul Manafort. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office also investigated the Trump Foundation, which was dissolved by court order to resolve claims of misuse of charitable funds.
The trial marked a significant moment in American history, with implications for the rule of law and political accountability. It remains to be seen what impact this conviction will have on Trump's political career and on the broader debate about public corruption and white-collar crime.