In a dramatic turn of events, Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer, took the stand in a Manhattan court on Tuesday, revealing shocking details about the cover-up of a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels.
Cohen testified that he submitted false invoices for legal services to conceal the reimbursement, which was made on Trump’s behalf to prevent the story from affecting his presidential campaign. Cohen’s testimony was matter-of-fact yet stunning, as he implicated Trump as the mastermind behind the payoff scheme.
Cohen’s testimony revealed that the reimbursements began after a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office in February 2017, where they discussed money.
Cohen Tells Jury of False Invoices to Cover Up $130,000 Hush Money Payment
He had yet to be repaid for Daniel’s payment at the time. Cohen recalled Trump asking if he needed money, and he replied, “No, all good.” Trump then instructed him to “deal with Allen,” referring to Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s chief financial officer.
Cohen testified that he submitted false invoices, including one for $35,000, which was not for legal services but for the reimbursement and a bonus. He repeatedly identified Trump as the driver of the scheme, stating that he did it to protect Trump from losing the election.
Cohen’s testimony appeared to make clear that the invoices were not for legal services, and he provided minimal help to Trump and his wife, Melania, in 2017.
He also detailed how he tried to mislead federal investigators about the Daniels payment, reading aloud a letter from his lawyers that was designed to be misleading and protect Trump.
The testimony speaks to the core of prosecutors’ case against Trump for falsifying business records, and Cohen’s words implicated Trump repeatedly, stating that everything he did was at Trump’s direction and for his benefit.
