NEW YORK — Former tabloid executive David Pecker said Monday he had “final say” over stories that ran in his marquee National Enquirer magazine and other publications, as prosecutors laid the groundwork to claim former President Donald Trump engaged in payoff tactics before the 2016 election and concealed them in ways that broke the law.
As the prosecution’s first witness, Mr. Pecker testified for about 30 minutes before the court adjourned for the day in observance of the Passover holiday.
Prosecutors are laying the groundwork for testimony about an August 2015 meeting in which Mr. Pecker, Mr. Trump and lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly agreed to catch and kill stories that were unflattering to Mr. Trump as he ran for president in 2016.
Mr. Pecker, 72, was chairman, president and CEO of American Media Inc., the parent company of tabloid papers such as National Enquirer. He did not get far into his testimony, though he provided insight into the hierarchy and inner workings of the tabloid.
“We used checkbook journalism, and we paid for stories,” Mr. Pecker said, adding that anything more than $10,000 required approval from him.
He also said the “only thing that is important is the cover of the magazine.”
Mr. Pecker spoke calmly, had white mustache and white hair combed back neatly, and wore wire-rimmed glasses.
The witness and the court had a laugh when he struggled to remember the last four digits of his phone number, something that will presumably be key in presenting evidence.
“This isn’t a quiz,” Mr. Steinglass said, prompting a loud cackle from Mr. Pecker.
State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan stopped testimony at 12:30 p.m. and advised the jury to remain quiet about the case while they were outside the court.
Mr. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and says Democratic prosecutors are trying to stop his presidential campaign.