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Tyler McBrien:
NEWS: Stormy Daniels has finished her testimony.
"People, please call your next witness," says Justice Merchan.
"The People call Rebecca Manochio."
NEWS: Stormy Daniels has finished her testimony.
"People, please call your next witness," says Justice Merchan.
"The People call Rebecca Manochio."
12:31 PM - May 09, 2024
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Mangold begins her direct examination.
Manochio is a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, and she was compelled to testify by subpoena.
Manochio is a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, and she was compelled to testify by subpoena.
12:32 PM - May 09, 2024
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She began at Trump Org August 2013 as an administrative assistant, then executive assistant., both for Allen Weisselberg and Jeff McConney.
Manochio began her testimony speaking softly, and Merchan asked her to speak a bit more loudly please.
Manochio began her testimony speaking softly, and Merchan asked her to speak a bit more loudly please.
12:33 PM - May 09, 2024
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Manochio recounts how she would prepare and FedEx checks to DC for Trump to sign. She sent them unsigned, and received them back signed.
Recall that most of the Cohen payments came from Trump's account, of which he had the sole signatory authority.
Recall that most of the Cohen payments came from Trump's account, of which he had the sole signatory authority.
12:34 PM - May 09, 2024
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Manochio says she would speak to Madeleine Westerhout, Trump's WH executive assistant at the beginning of his term, on the phone when checks were missing, or other confusion.
Perhaps a clue as to the prosecution's next witness.
Perhaps a clue as to the prosecution's next witness.
12:36 PM - May 09, 2024
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Mangold displays a FedEx invoice, dated 5/29/17, an example of the types of FedEx invoices Manochio would regularly see.
We're following the checks' journey from where we last left them off with Deb Tarasoff.
---
(it's been slowing down, very few updates coming in)
We're following the checks' journey from where we last left them off with Deb Tarasoff.
---
(it's been slowing down, very few updates coming in)
12:43 PM - May 09, 2024
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Adam Klasfeld : Q: Did you ever send anything to Keith Schiller other than checks for Mr. Trump to sign?
A: No.
A: No.
12:47 PM - May 09, 2024
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McBrien: She sends the FedEx, she receives the FedEx. The checks go to DC unsigned, and come back to New York signed.
Easy come, easy go.
There, I saved you from reading dozens of transcript pages.
Easy come, easy go.
There, I saved you from reading dozens of transcript pages.
12:49 PM - May 09, 2024
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WaPo: Charges are about checks, not sex
The testimony by Rebecca Manochio about FedEx envelopes and manila envelopes is a far cry from the combative and salacious testimony of the witness who preceded her, Stormy Daniels.
---
everything grinding to halt, I mean, seriously slowed down for records
The testimony by Rebecca Manochio about FedEx envelopes and manila envelopes is a far cry from the combative and salacious testimony of the witness who preceded her, Stormy Daniels.
---
everything grinding to halt, I mean, seriously slowed down for records
12:53 PM - May 09, 2024
10/52
Around Sept 2017, Manochio's point of contact changed to John McEntee (personal aide to the president).
In an email he asked Rhona Graff to put him in touch with "Rebecca that works for Mr. Weisleberg [sic]," bc he "will need the bosses personal checks mailed to me."
In an email he asked Rhona Graff to put him in touch with "Rebecca that works for Mr. Weisleberg [sic]," bc he "will need the bosses personal checks mailed to me."
12:55 PM - May 09, 2024
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Inner City Press
Prosecutor: If a check was missing who would you contact?
Manocio: Madeleine Westerhout.
Prosecutor: Have you reviewed the documents on the thumb drive?
Manochio: Yes.
Prosecutor: Display PX 291 [FedEx invoice of May 29, 2017]
Prosecutor: If a check was missing who would you contact?
Manocio: Madeleine Westerhout.
Prosecutor: Have you reviewed the documents on the thumb drive?
Manochio: Yes.
Prosecutor: Display PX 291 [FedEx invoice of May 29, 2017]
12:59 PM - May 09, 2024
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Prosecutor: Who did you send these checks to?
Manocio: Keith Schiller's home address in DC.
Prosecutor: Did there come a time Mr. Schiller left?
Manochio: Yes.
Prosecutor: Then you sent to John McEntee?
Manochio: Yes.
Manocio: Keith Schiller's home address in DC.
Prosecutor: Did there come a time Mr. Schiller left?
Manochio: Yes.
Prosecutor: Then you sent to John McEntee?
Manochio: Yes.
01:00 PM - May 09, 2024
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Prosecutor: Is this from Mr. McEntee to you?
Manochio: Yes. Signed checks.
Prosecutor: No further questions.
Justice Merchan: We'll take lunch.
Manochio: Yes. Signed checks.
Prosecutor: No further questions.
Justice Merchan: We'll take lunch.
01:02 PM - May 09, 2024
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Anna Bower: Before lunch, Blanche rises to say that the defense wants to raise 3 new issues related to witness testimony. One is a renewed motion for mistrial re Daniels' testimony. They also want to preclude McDougal's testimony &have a matter related to the gag order re (Manochio)
02:25 PM - May 09, 2024
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Tyler McBrien:
Q Was Trump the only person who could sign his personal checks? A Correct.
Q All the checks for all his personal expenses were the ones being FedExed? No business expenses? A Correct.
Necheles wants to make a point that Trump was uninvolved in running the business once president
Q Was Trump the only person who could sign his personal checks? A Correct.
Q All the checks for all his personal expenses were the ones being FedExed? No business expenses? A Correct.
Necheles wants to make a point that Trump was uninvolved in running the business once president
02:27 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: You testified that you got return envelopes after a few days?
A: Yes
Q: These were bills that needed to be paid promptly, so getting them back promptly was important to you?
A: Yes
Q: Was it the practice for legal expenses to be booked in his personal account ledger?
A: Idk.
A: Yes
Q: These were bills that needed to be paid promptly, so getting them back promptly was important to you?
A: Yes
Q: Was it the practice for legal expenses to be booked in his personal account ledger?
A: Idk.
02:27 PM - May 09, 2024
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It was a very quick cross — Manochio is already off the stand.
"The People call Tracy"—
"Witness entering," we hear, and a woman in black jacket and pants walks up to the stand and takes the oath.
Her name is Tracy Menzies, from Monmouth Co. NJ.
"The People call Tracy"—
"Witness entering," we hear, and a woman in black jacket and pants walks up to the stand and takes the oath.
Her name is Tracy Menzies, from Monmouth Co. NJ.
02:30 PM - May 09, 2024
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Menzies works at HarperCollins book publishing, as SVP of Production and Creative Operations. First time ever testifying in a legal proceeding. She's a custodian of records for HarperCollins, which was compelled to testify pursuant to a subpoena.
02:31 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: What about when there's more than one author, do all authors have to sign off on the content?
A: Yes
Mangold asks her about the book, "Think Big, Make It Happen in Business and In Life."
A: Yes
Mangold asks her about the book, "Think Big, Make It Happen in Business and In Life."
02:33 PM - May 09, 2024
20/52
love how his scam is slowly unraveling amid the ugly merch and tributes to his ego
02:40 PM - May 09, 2024
21/52
Think Big book Pg 160: "I value loyalty above everything else—more than brains, more than drive, more than energy." Two pages later: "the reason we have so many loyal people is that we reward loyalty...It has become part of the corporate culture of The Trump Org...people like Weisselberg"
02:42 PM - May 09, 2024
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Another excerpt now, along the same theme: loyalty.
"This woman was very disloyal, and now I go out of my way to make her life miserable."
Another: "When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades."
"This woman was very disloyal, and now I go out of my way to make her life miserable."
Another: "When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades."
02:43 PM - May 09, 2024
23/52
No further questions, no redirect, and the witness steps down.
"The People call Madeleine Westerhout."
"The People call Madeleine Westerhout."
02:45 PM - May 09, 2024
24/52
Recall, Westerhout was Trump’s executive assistant at the beginning of his presidential term, and when Trump met with Cohen at the White House.
Mangold begins her direct examination. Westerhout is the chief of staff to the chairman of a geopolitical consulting firm.
Mangold begins her direct examination. Westerhout is the chief of staff to the chairman of a geopolitical consulting firm.
02:47 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: Do you know former Pres Trump?
A: I do. She was compelled to appear by subpoena, and this is her first time ever inside a courtroom.
Q: Are you nervous to testify today?
A: I am now yes, (she says as she laughs, well, nervously.)
A: I do. She was compelled to appear by subpoena, and this is her first time ever inside a courtroom.
Q: Are you nervous to testify today?
A: I am now yes, (she says as she laughs, well, nervously.)
02:48 PM - May 09, 2024
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Westerhout says her counsel "graciously agreed" to take her case on pro bono.
She began her career in DC at the Republican National Committee, working for the finance director.
She began her career in DC at the Republican National Committee, working for the finance director.
02:52 PM - May 09, 2024
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Westerhout says her counsel "graciously agreed" to take her case pro bono. She began her career in DC at the Republican National Committee, working for the finance director.
She recalls RNC conversations of how it would be possible to replace Trump as the candidate after the Access Hollywood tape
She recalls RNC conversations of how it would be possible to replace Trump as the candidate after the Access Hollywood tape
02:53 PM - May 09, 2024
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After the election, Westerhout says she worked out of Trump Tower, helping the "president-elect" coordinate cabinet interviews and other matters, even though she lived full-time in DC still.
02:54 PM - May 09, 2024
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At some point, my boss came to me and said do you have any interest in sitting outside of the Oval Office, Westerhout says, and she thought it would be a cool experience.
Titles were not discussed yet, but she said yes.
Titles were not discussed yet, but she said yes.
02:55 PM - May 09, 2024
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Westerhout says Trump moved from Trump Tower to the White House on 1/20/17—Inauguration Day.
She recounts that day, in the West Wing right outside of the Oval Office. She "technically" started her job right then that very day, she says.
She recounts that day, in the West Wing right outside of the Oval Office. She "technically" started her job right then that very day, she says.
02:56 PM - May 09, 2024
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Tyler McBrien: Westerhout says she sat in the "outer Oval Office," and points out on the floor plan where her desk was—it's just about as close as you could get to the Oval Office without being in the Oval Office.
Also in the outer Oval Office: Hope Hicks, John McEntee, and Keith Schiller.
Also in the outer Oval Office: Hope Hicks, John McEntee, and Keith Schiller.
03:06 PM - May 09, 2024
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Dan Scavino was "one of the president's very trusted advisors," he did a lot of Trump's communications and to "get tweets out," says Westerhout.
03:07 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: As Trump's special assistant and executive assistant, was the president your only focus?
A: I tried to have it be my only focus. (she laughs nervously)
Q: Did you have job training or orientation?
A: Not formally, no, she says she observed Hicks, Scavino, and others to learn
A: I tried to have it be my only focus. (she laughs nervously)
Q: Did you have job training or orientation?
A: Not formally, no, she says she observed Hicks, Scavino, and others to learn
03:07 PM - May 09, 2024
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We progress in time through Westerhout's CV: eventually she became director of oval office operations, and her desk changed with her title.
Q: Did you develop an understnading of Trump's work habits and preferences?
A: I hope so
Q: His relationships and contacts?
A: Yes
Q: Did you develop an understnading of Trump's work habits and preferences?
A: I hope so
Q: His relationships and contacts?
A: Yes
03:09 PM - May 09, 2024
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His social media presence? The way he interacted with his family? Yes and yes.
Back to his work habits. Westerhout says he preferred speaking with people in person, or on the phone. He took "a lot" of phone calls in the day, starting as early as 6am and late into the night.
Back to his work habits. Westerhout says he preferred speaking with people in person, or on the phone. He took "a lot" of phone calls in the day, starting as early as 6am and late into the night.
03:10 PM - May 09, 2024
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There's a "rather complicated process," to call the president, says Westerhout. One way is to call Westerhout's desk, and she would patch them through. But John Smith on the street calling 1-800-WHITEHOUSE wouldn't just be patched right through.
03:10 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: Did Mr Trump use a computer?
A: Not to my knowledge.
Q: Did Mr Trump have an email account?
A: Not to my knowledge.
She says Trump liked hard-copy documents, and liked to read, in fact his job in 2017 required quite a lot of it.
A: Not to my knowledge.
Q: Did Mr Trump have an email account?
A: Not to my knowledge.
She says Trump liked hard-copy documents, and liked to read, in fact his job in 2017 required quite a lot of it.
03:11 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: Did anyone else have access to the
@realDonaldTrump
Twitter account in 2017?
A: Only Dan Scavino and Trump.
Q: Did Scavino ever post a tweet without Trump's approval?
A: The president did like to see the tweets that went out (but she didn't see every tweet they posted).
@realDonaldTrump
Twitter account in 2017?
A: Only Dan Scavino and Trump.
Q: Did Scavino ever post a tweet without Trump's approval?
A: The president did like to see the tweets that went out (but she didn't see every tweet they posted).
03:13 PM - May 09, 2024
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Every now and then, Westerhout says Trump would dictate a tweet to him, which she would type up then print out (bc he couldn't read her handwriting), then he would review and edit the hard copy, sometimes a couple of times.
How the twitter sausage is made!
How the twitter sausage is made!
03:14 PM - May 09, 2024
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Westerhout says that there were certain words that he liked to capitalize, like "country," and he liked to use exclamation points.
"It's my recollection that he liked to use the Oxford Comma," she adds.
"It's my recollection that he liked to use the Oxford Comma," she adds.
03:19 PM - May 09, 2024
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Westerhout says her primary point of contact at the Trump Org was Rhona Graff. She would pass along Trump's questions for the company's employees, and vice versa.
03:19 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: How were Trump's personal expenses handled in 2017?
A: My understanding that they were handled by checks. They were sent by the Trump Org to Keith Schiller, then to me, and I brought them to Trump to sign.
She describes the FedEx package and the manila folder.
A: My understanding that they were handled by checks. They were sent by the Trump Org to Keith Schiller, then to me, and I brought them to Trump to sign.
She describes the FedEx package and the manila folder.
03:32 PM - May 09, 2024
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Westerhout says she received unsigned checks from the Trump Org—maybe twice a month—and the number of checks in each package varied, from one to a stack half an inch thick. She says she would sometimes see Trump sign checks in his office, each one by hand, to her knowledge.
03:33 PM - May 09, 2024
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After he signed the checks, Trump would hand the folder back to Westerhout, who would place it in a prelabeled envelope and back to the Trump Org.
Q: Was there ever a time Trump didn't send back every single check in a packet?
A: I don't recall.
Q: Was there ever a time Trump didn't send back every single check in a packet?
A: I don't recall.
03:34 PM - May 09, 2024
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Do you remember Trump's reaction to a story about him and Stormy Daniels in early 2018?
I remember he was very upset.
Did he talk to Cohen around that time?
I believe so, yes.
I remember he was very upset.
Did he talk to Cohen around that time?
I believe so, yes.
03:44 PM - May 09, 2024
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How would you describe Trump and Melania's relationship?
It was one of mutual respect, he cared about her opinion, and there was no one else who could put him in his place. He was my boss, but she was in charge. Their relationship was really special, they laughed a lot.
It was one of mutual respect, he cared about her opinion, and there was no one else who could put him in his place. He was my boss, but she was in charge. Their relationship was really special, they laughed a lot.
03:45 PM - May 09, 2024
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Q: Did Trump's relationship with Melania change when the Stormy Daniels story came out?
A: Not to my knowledge, no.
A: Not to my knowledge, no.
03:45 PM - May 09, 2024
49/52
Westerhout begins to break down and cry as she recounts the circumstances of her departure from the White House.
She learned a lot from her "indiscretions," she says.
She learned a lot from her "indiscretions," she says.
03:46 PM - May 09, 2024
50/52
She had said some things she wasn't supposed to during what she believed to be an off-the-record dinner with a reporter, she says.
She wipes her tears. She seems genuinely regretful about the whole episode.
She wipes her tears. She seems genuinely regretful about the whole episode.
03:47 PM - May 09, 2024
51/52
She wrote a book about it, she says, her voice shakey and faultering, and we see the cover now displayed:
Off the Record: My Dream Job at the White House, How I Lost It, and What I Learned
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😸
Off the Record: My Dream Job at the White House, How I Lost It, and What I Learned
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😸
03:49 PM - May 09, 2024
52/52
Right on schedule, Merchan stops it there.
Westerhout's testimony was wack.
I didn't post all the fake crap about him being a family man etc, I feel gross having read it.
Westerhout's testimony was wack.
I didn't post all the fake crap about him being a family man etc, I feel gross having read it.
04:06 PM - May 09, 2024
You are doing the Lord’s work. Thank you so much for keeping us informed. I am so happy that you are on #Spoutible 🙏
In response to Helen.
05:11 PM - May 09, 2024
In response to Renee Tang.
TY Renee, it's nice to hear someone is getting something from it😺
06:07 PM - May 09, 2024
