Michael Cohen on Monday took what is likely to be his final testimony in the hush money case of former President Donald Trump, making a shocking admission during cross-examination that shows the extent to which he schemed to damage Trump and his real estate empire before quitting.
Defense attorney Todd Blanche delivered a devastating rundown of financial transactions that occurred between Cohen and former Trump Organization CFO Alan Weisselberg in 2017. Cohen, who expressed bitterness over not being reimbursed for a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, admitted to “stealing” money from President Trump by submitting false reimbursement documents to his colleague. Handwritten notes shown to the jury appeared to calculate what Cohen thought he was owed after the payment, as well as for another payment of $50,000 to a tech company called Red Finch. However, Cohen never paid the full amount.
“So the $50,000 that you got back from Red Finch… you only paid the Red Finch owner $20,000, right?” Blanche asked. “Yes sir,” Cohen said, according to CNN.
“I just didn’t want to take out $20,000” at once, Cohen said. “I don’t recall if it was exactly $20,000,” Cohen added to clarify. He confirmed that he pocketed the additional $30,000 that Weisselberg paid him via reimbursement.
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He added that while Red Finch wanted the full $50,000, they ultimately agreed to the less than half they received.
“So, you stole from the Trump organization,” Blanche asked, noting Cohen was reimbursed $100,000.
“Yes sir,” Cohen, said in response to Blanche.
“You didn’t just steal the 30,000, Because it was grossed up, it was 60,000,” Blanche asked. “Yes, sir,” Cohen said.
Cohen agreed that he has told multiple prosecutors with the district attorney’s office about it.
“Did you ever have to plead guilty to larceny,” Blanche asked.
“No, sir,” Cohen said.
CNN noted that President Trump was alert and staring daggers at Cohen during questioning about the money which came as part of a total of $420,000 paid back to Cohen which included the payment to Daniels. Blanche showed Cohen a January 31, 2017 email from Weisselberg explaining how monthly installments would be made to Cohen to complete the payment.
“Note and mortgage modification agreement for Trump Park Avenue Condominium,” read the original email from Cohen. “Thank you. You never stopped on for a bro hug. Anyway please prepare the agreement discussed” so we can pay you monthly, Weisselberg wrote.
Cohen returned for a fourth day of star testimony as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg prepares for closing arguments in a case that will likely be the only one against Trump completed before Election Day. Legal observers have repeatedly noted that Bragg’s reliance on “circumstantial evidence” is weak, including references to extramarital affairs and a “catch and kill” approach to negative news stories, both of which are not illegal. Trump’s ongoing case has emboldened supporters and drawn support from unlikely corners as voters continue to doubt the impartiality of the cases against him.