Former trusted lawyer testified at Mr. Trump's trial 3
Michael Cohen on May 13 appeared at Manhattan criminal court, New York, to provide testimony in the prosecution of former President Donald Trump on 34 charges of falsifying business records to pay hush money for porn star Stormy Daniels.
Cohen said that in the final weeks of the 2016 election season, he learned that Daniels wanted to sell the story that she had had an affair with Mr. Trump in 2006 to tabloid magazines.
`He told me, ‘This is an absolute disaster. Women will hate me,’` Cohen recounted to the jury and presiding judge Juan Merchan.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger (left) questions former lawyer Michael Cohen at Manhattan criminal court, New York on May 13.
According to Cohen, Mr. Trump directed the former lawyer to find the most suitable way to spend $130,000 on Daniels, to keep the porn star silent.
At the defendant’s table, former President Trump shook his head.
`He emphasized to me, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll get your money back,’` Cohen continued.
This amount of money was later reimbursed to Cohen by the Trump Organization in several installments and declared as legal fees in business records.
In addition, Cohen also mentioned the agreement between him, Mr. Trump and David Pecker, during the 2016 election campaign. Pecker was then president and CEO of media company AMI, which owned National Enquirer magazine.
Mr. Trump’s legal team has argued that Cohen acted on his own volition and was lying.
Mr. Cohen’s testimony could make the defense effort that the hush money payment was unrelated to the election campaign invalid.
Former President Donald Trump at Manhattan criminal court, New York on May 13.
Cohen admitted in August 2018 to financial violations during the election campaign and claimed that Trump directed him to pay Daniels to `silence` this porn star.
Former President Trump was indicted in March 2023.
The trial begins April 15 and will last at least 6 weeks.
