David Pecker testified that he had concerns about the legality of the catch and kill deals. In 2016, Pecker testified he consulted an election law attorney when AMI was structuring the catch and kill contract with Karen McDougal and said that AMI’s in-house attorney was aware of the deal.
Still, AMI moved forward and signed a deal with McDougal, including rights to any stories involving married men, with no intention of publishing health and fitness articles they promised her.
Two years later, AMI signed a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors investigating Michael Cohen. Under the deal, AMI admitted it violated federal campaign finance laws by making a $150,000 donation to Trump’s campaign while coordinating with the campaign. AMI never disclosed the contribution to the Federal Election Commission. As part of the deal, Pecker cooperated with federal prosecutors.
During questioning Thursday, Pecker said he knew at the time the 2016 deal was illegal and he wouldn’t have entered into it if it wasn’t for Trump’s benefit.
