Michael Cohen is scheduled to testify on Monday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, providing the only firsthand account of how the former president allegedly knew about an illegal payment scheme in 2017. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is relying on Cohen’s testimony to prove that Trump concealed a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in his financial records. Despite Cohen’s credibility issues, Bragg is hopeful that the jury will believe his testimony.
Cohen, who worked as Trump’s attorney and “fixer,” pleaded guilty to multiple felonies and has been vocal in criticizing his former client. Prosecutors are nearing the end of presenting their case, with Cohen’s testimony expected to be a key part of their finale.
Bragg has charged Trump with falsifying records of payments to Cohen, alleging that Trump acted with intent to defraud and conceal the commission of a crime, turning the charges into low-level felonies. The payments to Cohen in 2017, totaling $420,000, were categorized as legal expenses in Trump Organization’s records. Prosecutors argue that the payments were for various purposes, including the hush money payment to Daniels.
Trump’s defense team maintains that the payments were properly categorized as legal expenses, while Bragg contends that the records inaccurately portrayed Cohen’s services. The specific additional crimes Trump is accused of committing remain unclear, with violations of election laws and tax evasion being potential charges.
Despite testifying that Trump signed the checks to Cohen, a former Trump financial executive claimed that ex-Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg orchestrated the payment plan. Prosecutors hope Cohen’s testimony will establish Trump’s awareness of the details of the plan.
Cohen’s credibility has come under scrutiny due to his past crimes, including lying to a bank, evading taxes, and violating campaign finance laws. He has also been convicted of lying to Congress. Cohen’s public persona, which includes a book about Trump and controversial statements on social media, has further raised doubts about his trustworthiness.
Even though Cohen has faced criticism for his public comments on the trial, Judge Juan Merchan declined to impose a gag order on him. Prosecutors have instructed Cohen to refrain from discussing the case or Trump publicly until the trial concludes.
