Who is Karen McDougal, the Playboy model in Donald Trump’s case?
- McDougal said she was paid US$150,000 to keep her from going public with claims that Trump had sex with her in 2006 and 2007
- The transaction is one of two involving alleged affairs that are at the heart of the criminal case against the former president
A 52-year-old former model and actress from Indiana, McDougal was a Playboy magazine Playmate of the Year in the late 1990s.
American Media Inc (AMI), corporate parent of the National Enquirer, has acknowledged paying McDougal US$150,000 for the rights to her story to prevent her from going public with it ahead of the 2016 presidential election – a practice known in the publishing industry as “catch and kill.”
AMI admitted to the arrangement in a non-prosecution agreement with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in 2018.
Prosecutors said in a charging document on Tuesday that Trump did not want the woman’s story to become public “because he was concerned about the effect it could have on his candidacy.”
They said Trump, his lawyer Michael Cohen and AMI former chief executive David Pecker, a long-time friend of Trump, agreed that Trump would reimburse AMI. But Pecker ultimately opted not to seek repayment after talking with a company lawyer.
The US Federal Election Commission ruled in 2021 that AMI’s payment to McDougal amounted to an illegal campaign contribution that benefited Trump, and fined its successor company US$187,500.
Pecker has testified before the Manhattan grand jury that investigated the case and indicted Trump.
McDougal later sued AMI and reached an agreement that allowed her to discuss her relationship with Trump.
The transaction is one of two involving alleged affairs that are at the heart of the criminal case against Trump.
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Donald Trump indicted in New York for paying hush money to a porn star
Daniels and Cohen both say the payment was to buy her silence about a 2006 affair with Trump.
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal campaign finance charges related to his payments to Daniels.
Trump has denied having had sexual relationships with either woman, but has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen.
