USA (Transatlantic Today) – Michael Cohen, former lawyer and close associate of ex-President Donald Trump, admitted in court on Monday to stealing $30,000 from the Trump Organization. Cohen’s testimony came during a criminal trial involving Trump, where he detailed his actions and motivations. Cohen justifies the action that Trump underpaid him.
Admissions in Court
Cohen revealed during questioning by Trump’s lead lawyer, Todd Blanche, that he took the money because he felt “underpaid.” He confessed, “I got angry about the reduction in my bonus, so I felt like it was almost like self-help.” This admission occurred on the third day of Cohen’s cross-examination by Blanche and subsequent questioning by the prosecutor.
Earlier Testimonies and Cover-Up Details
According to Canal26, Last week, Cohen tesetfied that Trump told him to pay $130,000 to hush Stormy Daniels, a porn star who claimed to have had an encounter with Trump in 2006. Cohen disclosed how Trump later reimbursed him for these expenses, providing additional insight into the alleged cover-up.
Questioning on Financial Transactions
Blanche challenged Cohen’s credibility by questioning him about the timeline and nature of payments related to the Daniels affair. Cohen also recounted another transaction involving a payment to RedFinch, a company hired to manipulate an online survey ranking prominent businessmen. Although the Trump Organization owed RedFinch $50,000, Cohen admitted to paying only $20,000, using cash in a brown paper bag, and keeping the remaining $30,000 for himself.
Motivations for Theft
When asked by the prosecutor about his reasons for taking the money, Cohen reiterated his feelings of being underpaid, stating, “I got angry about the reduction of my bonus, so I felt like it was almost like self-help.” This justification was part of his broader testimony, which could impact his credibility as a witness in the ongoing trial.
This latest development adds another layer to the complex legal battles surrounding Trump and his former associates, with Cohen’s admissions shedding light on internal financial disputes and alleged cover-ups within the Trump Organization.