new York
Former lawyer Cohen testifies in fraud trial against Trump
Michael Cohen, former US President Trump’s lawyer, arrives at a Manhattan court as part of the fraud trial against his former employer. photo
© Yuki Iwamura/FR171758 AP/AP
Trump’s ex-lawyer Cohen is also a key witness in a trial about possible hush money payments. In New York, on the other hand, it is about economic fraud. Trump is threatened with significant business damage here.
Before the day of the trial began, Trump called Cohen a “proven liar,” and Cohen spoke of a “very special reunion.” The fraud trial involves allegations by the public prosecutor’s office that the ex-president, his sons and employees manipulated the value of the Trump Organization for years in order to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts. The Republican Trump is not threatened with a prison sentence or a direct impact on his presidential candidacy, but a conviction could cause him great business damage.
Cohen had worked for Trump for more than a decade and was a central figure in several affairs involving the Republican. He was often described as Trump’s “cleaner” – until there was a break between the two.
The lawyer is also a key witness in the prosecution against Trump in connection with hush money payments. Cohen has confessed to paying $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from speaking about her alleged affair with Trump during the 2016 election campaign. Cohen was ultimately sentenced to three years in prison, but was allowed to serve part of the sentence in house arrest because of the corona pandemic. Trump sued Cohen for $500 million a few months ago for allegedly breaching his legal duties.