In a dramatic development in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, the former president’s lawyers expressed unpreparedness to question Jeffrey McCan, the Trump Organization’s former controller and a key witness. Despite their requests, Justice Maran compelled McCan to testify, adding to a morning that saw Trump held in contempt for the tenth time during the proceedings.

The focus of McCan’s testimony centers on his extensive knowledge of the Trump Organization’s financial operations, spanning nearly four decades. His insights are crucial for the prosecution, aiming to establish a foundational understanding of how business records were handled and potentially falsified within the organization.

Throughout the trial, Trump’s defense has attempted to portray the case as politically motivated and unfair. In court, Trump reiterated these claims, labeling the trial as “election interference” and denouncing the prosecution’s witnesses as irrelevant.

The proceedings also highlighted the personal logistics surrounding Trump, including his receipt of articles from Natalie Harp, a campaign staff member paid by his political action committee, intended to boost his morale during the trial.

Jeffrey McCan’s testimony is considered pivotal, despite lacking the drama of other witnesses like Hope Hicks or David Pecker. His detailed accounts and the prosecution’s thorough questioning aim to paint a clear picture of the inner workings of the Trump Organization’s financial practices, specifically regarding the approval and processing of payments.

A significant portion of the testimony revolved around Alan Weisselberg, the organization’s former CFO, and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer. Discussions centered on how payments, including those related to Cohen’s reimbursements for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, were conducted and recorded, raising questions about the accuracy and legality of the organization’s business records.

In his testimony, McCan confirmed that Weisselberg approved certain invoices via email and discussed how the organization grossed up payments for tax purposes. This intricate financial maneuvering was detailed through email exchanges and business records, which were painstakingly reviewed during the trial.

Overall, McCan’s testimony, backed by documentation and his long-term insider perspective, aims to strengthen the prosecution’s case against Trump by demonstrating a pattern of questionable financial practices and potential record falsification within his business empire.