The trial of Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records to conceal hush money paid to a porn star began in New York on Monday with opening statements from the prosecution and the defence.
In the first criminal trial of a former president in US history, prosecuting attorney Matthew Colangelo accused Trump, who was present in the courtroom, of attempting to influence the 2016 elections through the payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
"It was election fraud, pure and simple," Colangelo said. "This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a coverup."
Trump is accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme involving his former lawyer and fixer Micahel Cohen to hide the pay-off made to Daniels.
Daniels said the money was given to keep her quiet about an affair she had with Trump in 2006. He has admitted to paying her but denies any sexual encounter.
Defence attorney Todd Blanche said that Trump had not committed any crimes. "President Trump is innocent," Blanche said, arguing there was nothing illegal about the non-disclosure agreement made with Daniels.
Trump, who is campaigning to win re-election in November as the Republican Party candidate, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He could face a prison sentence if found guilty, or a suspended sentence.
"There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election ... It's called democracy," Blanche told the court. The money paid had been paid legally, he said.
Blanche called Cohen, who is one of the prosecution's key witnesses, a "criminal" who had previously lied under oath.
It was not clear at the start of the trial whether Trump or Daniels would take the witness stand.