I asked this question, and it was proposed that it be closed as a duplicate of this question. I accepted the proposal because the answer to that question indicated the specific statute related to unlawful election influence, and I thought that was helpful information.
However, soon after accepting the close proposal, I regretted my decision, because I still felt like heart of my question was unanswered: I still didn't know specifically what the prosecution claimed Trump intended to do to influence the election that would be unlawful.
This answer to another question, though, answers my question exactly ("The prosecution's theory was that the unlawful means was either: (1) FECA violations; (2) violations of tax laws; or (3) other falsification of business records.").
I think the "closed as duplicate" message will be more helpful to future readers if it links to that second question, rather than the first. Is it possible to change which question my question is closed as a duplicate of?