When former President Donald Trump's long-awaited criminal trial commences in New York on Monday, it will mark the apex of a years-long investigation, delving into events dating back to an alleged affair in 2006. This unfolding saga intertwines elements of presidential politics, tabloid sensationalism, and the intricate details of corporate finance. As the trial unfolds, a diverse cast of characters, some familiar and others emerging into the limelight for the first time, will take center stage.