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{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox Person
|name = Michael Cohen
|name = Michael Dean Cohen
|birth_date = August 25, 1966
|birth_date = August 25, 1966
|birth_place = Long Island, New York
|birth_place = Lawrence, New York
|occupation = Former attorney, Author
|charges = Tax evasion, Bank fraud, Campaign finance violations, Lying to Congress
|conviction = Tax evasion, Bank fraud, Campaign finance violations, Making false statements to Congress
|sentence = 3 years
|sentence = 3 years
|facility = FCI Otisville
|facility = FCI Otisville
|status = Released
|release_date = November 2021
|release_date = November 2021
|status = Released
|conviction_date = August 21, 2018
}}
}}
'''Michael Dean Cohen''' (born August 25, 1966) is an American former attorney who served as personal counsel to Donald Trump before being convicted of federal crimes including tax evasion, bank fraud, campaign finance violations, and making false statements to Congress.<ref name="nyt-plea">The New York Times, "Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty, Says Trump Directed Hush-Money Payments," August 21, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/nyregion/michael-cohen-plea-deal-trump.html.</ref> Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison for his role in making hush money payments to women who alleged affairs with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow.<ref name="cnn-sentence">CNN, "Michael Cohen sentenced to 3 years in prison," December 12, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/12/politics/michael-cohen-sentencing/index.html.</ref> He served a portion of his sentence at [[FCI_Otisville_(medium-security)|FCI Otisville]] before being released to [[Home_Confinement_and_Monitoring_Programs|home confinement]] during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a prominent critic of his former client.<ref name="ap-release">Associated Press, "Michael Cohen released from federal prison," May 21, 2020.</ref>
'''Michael Dean Cohen''' (born August 25, 1966) is an American attorney and convicted felon who served as personal attorney and "fixer" for Donald Trump from 2006 to 2018 before being sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax evasion, bank fraud, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress.<ref name="doj-plea">U.S. Department of Justice, "Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Eight Counts, Including Criminal Tax Evasion And Campaign Finance Violations," August 21, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/michael-cohen-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court-eight-counts-including-criminal-tax.</ref> Cohen, who once said he would "take a bullet" for Trump, became a central figure in multiple legal controversies involving the former president, including the hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels that Cohen orchestrated at Trump's direction during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen pleaded guilty in August 2018 and was sentenced in December 2018, with a federal judge calling his crimes a "veritable smorgasbord" of illegal conduct.<ref name="fox-sentence">Fox News, "Michael Cohen, former Trump attorney, gets 3 years in prison for tax fraud, campaign finance violations, lying," December 2018, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cohen-slams-trumps-dirty-deeds-ahead-of-sentencing.</ref> Cohen served over a year in federal prison before being released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, completing his sentence in November 2021. He subsequently became a key witness in Trump's 2024 criminal trial on charges related to the hush money scheme.<ref name="npr-testimony">NPR, "Michael Cohen, Trump's ex-fixer, testifies about hush money payment to Stormy Daniels," May 13, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/05/13/1250844236/trump-trial-michael-cohen.</ref>


== Summary ==
== Summary ==


Michael Cohen worked for Donald Trump and the Trump Organization for over a decade as Trump's personal attorney and "fixer," handling sensitive matters including suppressing potentially damaging stories. His criminal case became intertwined with investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Trump's business practices. Cohen pleaded guilty in two separate proceedings—one before the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and one before Special Counsel Robert Mueller.<ref name="nyt-plea" />
Michael Cohen's transformation from loyal Trump fixer to convicted felon to star prosecution witness represents one of the most dramatic personal reversals in modern American political history. For over a decade, Cohen served as Trump's attorney, dealmaker, and troubleshooter, handling sensitive matters that required discretion and a willingness to operate in ethical gray areas. He was known for his aggressive loyalty, once famously declaring that he would "take a bullet" for his boss. When federal investigators began examining his conduct, Cohen initially maintained his allegiance to Trump before ultimately deciding to cooperate with prosecutors and publicly turn against his former client.<ref name="britannica-cohen">Britannica, "Michael Cohen," https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Cohen.</ref>
 
Cohen's crimes spanned multiple areas. He evaded taxes on more than $4 million in income, made false statements to banks to obtain loans, violated campaign finance laws by arranging hush money payments to women who claimed affairs with Trump, and lied to Congress about the Trump Organization's efforts to build a tower in Moscow. Each category of crime reflected a different aspect of Cohen's work for Trump and his own personal financial dealings.<ref name="doj-plea" />


After initially expressing loyalty to Trump, Cohen cooperated with federal prosecutors and publicly turned against his former client, testifying before Congress about Trump's business practices and conduct. He has since published a memoir critical of Trump and become a frequent media commentator.<ref name="cnn-sentence" />
The campaign finance violations proved particularly significant because Cohen directly implicated Trump, stating in court that he made the illegal payments "in coordination with and at the direction of" a candidate for federal office—an obvious reference to Trump. This testimony would later form the foundation for criminal charges against Trump himself, making Cohen's case not just a personal downfall but a pivotal moment in the legal accountability of a former president.<ref name="abc-everything">ABC News, "Everything you need to know about Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney," https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/michael-cohen-trumps-personal-attorney-now-testifying/story?id=61327524.</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==


Cohen was born on August 25, 1966, on Long Island, New York, and grew up in Lawrence, New York. His father, Maurice Cohen, was a surgeon who had survived the Holocaust as a child in Poland. Cohen graduated from American University in 1988 and earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1991.<ref name="bio-cohen">The New Yorker, "Michael Cohen's Last Days of Freedom," May 6, 2019.</ref>
=== Early Life and Career ===


Before joining the Trump Organization, Cohen worked as a personal injury lawyer and was involved in various business ventures including taxi medallions, which would later become part of his criminal case. Cohen began working for the Trump Organization in 2006, initially providing legal counsel and eventually serving as Executive Vice President and Special Counsel to Donald Trump. In this role, he handled sensitive matters and earned a reputation as a fierce defender of Trump's interests.<ref name="nyt-plea" />
Michael Dean Cohen was born on August 25, 1966, in Lawrence, New York, on Long Island. He attended American University and earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. Cohen practiced personal injury law and became involved in the taxi medallion business, among other ventures.<ref name="nyt-cohen">New York Times, "Michael Cohen," https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/michael-d-cohen.</ref>
 
=== Work for Donald Trump ===
 
Cohen began working for Donald Trump and the Trump Organization in 2006, eventually becoming Trump's personal attorney and executive vice president of the Trump Organization. In this role, Cohen handled a wide range of sensitive matters, earning a reputation as Trump's "fixer"—someone who would solve problems and protect Trump's interests through whatever means necessary.<ref name="britannica-cohen" />
 
Cohen's work included managing public relations crises, dealing with legal threats, and handling transactions that required discretion. He was known for his aggressive, sometimes intimidating style when dealing with people who posed problems for Trump. This loyal service would continue for over a decade before Cohen's relationship with Trump collapsed.<ref name="abc-everything" />


== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==


=== Campaign Finance Violations ===
=== The Hush Money Payments ===


Cohen arranged hush money payments to two women who alleged sexual encounters with Donald Trump: adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) received $130,000 shortly before the 2016 election, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal's story was purchased and buried by American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer, in a "catch and kill" scheme. Cohen facilitated both arrangements. Prosecutors alleged these payments constituted illegal campaign contributions because they were made to influence the election.<ref name="nyt-plea" />
In 2016, as Trump was running for president, Cohen arranged payments to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels received $130,000 in exchange for her silence, while former Playboy model Karen McDougal received $150,000 through a "catch and kill" arrangement with American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer. Cohen initially paid Daniels from his own funds and was reimbursed by Trump through payments disguised as legal fees.<ref name="doj-plea" />


=== Tax Evasion and Bank Fraud ===
These payments violated federal campaign finance laws because they were made to influence the 2016 election but were not disclosed as campaign expenditures. The fact that Cohen was reimbursed by Trump created a direct link between the candidate and the illegal conduct.<ref name="abc-everything" />


Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York also charged Cohen with tax evasion related to his taxi medallion business and personal income, as well as bank fraud for making false statements to obtain loans. Cohen had failed to report substantial income and had lied to banks about his financial condition.<ref name="cnn-sentence" />
=== Tax and Bank Fraud ===


=== False Statements to Congress ===
Separately from the campaign finance violations, federal investigators discovered that Cohen had evaded taxes on more than $4 million in income over several years. The unreported income came from various sources including his taxi medallion business and consulting work. Cohen also made false statements to financial institutions to obtain loans.<ref name="doj-plea" />


Separately, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office charged Cohen with making false statements to Congress regarding the proposed Trump Tower Moscow project. Cohen had testified that negotiations for the project ended in January 2016, when in fact discussions continued through June 2016, well into Trump's presidential campaign. Cohen pleaded guilty to this charge in November 2018.<ref name="mueller">Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, "Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election," March 2019.</ref>
=== Lying to Congress ===


=== Guilty Pleas and Sentencing ===
Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the Trump Organization's efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 campaign. Cohen had told congressional committees that negotiations over the Moscow project ended in January 2016, when in fact they continued at least until June 2016. This lie was designed to minimize the appearance of Trump's business interests in Russia during his campaign.<ref name="wiki-cohen" />


On August 21, 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to eight counts, including tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. At the plea hearing, Cohen stated that he made the hush money payments "at the direction of" the candidate for federal office, referring to Trump without naming him. On November 29, 2018, he pleaded guilty to the additional charge of making false statements to Congress.<ref name="nyt-plea" />
=== Guilty Plea ===


On December 12, 2018, U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III sentenced Cohen to three years in federal prison, stating that Cohen's crimes "implicated a far more insidious harm to our democratic institutions." Cohen was also ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution, $500,000 in forfeiture, and $50,000 in fines.<ref name="cnn-sentence" />
On August 21, 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to eight felony counts: five counts of tax evasion, one count of making false statements to a financial institution, one count of willfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution, and one count of making an excessive campaign contribution. In his plea allocution, Cohen stated that he made the campaign finance violations "in coordination with and at the direction of" a candidate for federal office.<ref name="doj-plea" />
 
In November 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to an additional count of lying to Congress, stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.<ref name="wiki-cohen" />
 
=== Sentencing ===
 
On December 12, 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison. The judge characterized Cohen's crimes as a "veritable smorgasbord" of illegal conduct. Cohen was also ordered to pay approximately $1.4 million in restitution, forfeit $500,000, and pay a $50,000 fine. He was disbarred from practicing law in New York in February 2019.<ref name="courthouse-sentence">Courthouse News Service, "Ex-Trump Attorney Michael Cohen Gets 3-Year Sentence," December 2018, https://www.courthousenews.com/sentencing-imminent-for-ex-trump-attorney-michael-cohen/.</ref>


== Prison Experience ==
== Prison Experience ==


Cohen reported to [[FCI_Otisville_(medium-security)|FCI Otisville]] in Otisville, New York, on May 6, 2019. Otisville is a medium-security federal correctional institution known for housing white-collar offenders and is located approximately 70 miles northwest of New York City.<ref name="bio-cohen" />
Cohen reported to Federal Correctional Institution Otisville, a facility in New York that houses a minimum-security prison camp, in May 2019. He served over a year of his sentence before being released to home confinement in May 2020 as the Bureau of Prisons expanded home release in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="nbc-prison">NBC News, "Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen arrives at federal prison to start three-year sentence," May 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-begin-serving-three-year-prison-n1002306.</ref>


In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cohen was released to [[Home_Confinement_and_Monitoring_Programs|home confinement]] as part of the Bureau of Prisons' efforts to reduce prison populations. He was briefly returned to prison in July 2020 after a dispute over the terms of his release, with Cohen alleging the Bureau of Prisons was retaliating against him for his media activities. A federal judge subsequently ordered his release, finding the government had retaliated against Cohen for exercising his First Amendment rights. Cohen completed his sentence in November 2021.<ref name="ap-release" />
Cohen's home confinement was briefly interrupted in July 2020 when he was returned to prison after a dispute over the conditions of his release. Cohen alleged that his return to prison was retaliation for his plan to publish a book critical of Trump. A federal judge agreed that there was evidence of retaliation and ordered Cohen's release back to home confinement. Cohen completed his sentence in November 2021.<ref name="pbs-retaliation">PBS News, "Appeals court says Michael Cohen can't hold Trump liable for retaliatory imprisonment," https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/appeals-court-says-michael-cohen-cant-hold-trump-liable-for-retaliatory-imprisonment.</ref>


== Post-Release Career ==
== Witness Against Trump ==


Since his release, Cohen has become a prominent critic of Donald Trump, frequently appearing on television news programs and hosting a podcast. He published a memoir, "Disloyal: A Memoir," in 2020, which detailed his years working for Trump and his perspective on Trump's business practices and character.<ref name="disloyal">Cohen, Michael. "Disloyal: A Memoir." Skyhorse Publishing, 2020.</ref>
Following his conviction, Cohen became an outspoken critic of Trump and cooperated with multiple investigations into his former boss. He testified before Congress and spoke extensively to media outlets about his experiences working for Trump.


Cohen has also been a witness in various legal proceedings involving Trump, including providing testimony in the New York civil fraud case against the Trump Organization and the Manhattan District Attorney's criminal case against Trump related to the hush money payments.<ref name="nyt-testimony">The New York Times, "Michael Cohen Testifies Against Trump in Hush Money Trial," May 2024.</ref>
In May 2024, Cohen served as a key prosecution witness in Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Cohen provided detailed testimony about Trump's alleged knowledge and direction of the hush money scheme, though defense attorneys vigorously attacked his credibility given his criminal record and his public statements against Trump.<ref name="npr-trial">NPR, "Prosecutors rest their case against Trump in the hush money case," May 20, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/05/20/1252425791/trump-trial-michael-cohen.</ref>


== Public Statements and Positions ==
== Public Statements and Positions ==


Cohen has been outspoken about his transformation from Trump loyalist to critic. At his sentencing, Cohen stated: "I have been living in a personal and mental incarceration ever since the day that I accepted the offer to work for a real estate mogul whose business acumen I deeply admired." He added: "I take full responsibility for each act that I pled guilty to: the personal ones to me and those involving the President of the United States of America."<ref name="cnn-sentence" />
Cohen's public statements about Trump have evolved dramatically. Before his conviction, he was one of Trump's most vocal defenders. After pleading guilty and especially after his sentencing, Cohen became one of Trump's harshest critics, describing him as a con man and criminal.


In his memoir and media appearances, Cohen has described his work for Trump as involving routine lies and intimidation tactics. He has expressed regret for his actions while also emphasizing that he was carrying out Trump's directives.<ref name="disloyal" />
Cohen published a book, "Disloyal," in 2020 detailing his time with Trump and characterizing his former boss in unflattering terms. He has maintained an active media presence, frequently commenting on legal matters involving Trump.<ref name="just-security">Just Security, "How Prosecutors Turned Michael Cohen's Greatest Liabilities into Their Assets," https://www.justsecurity.org/95956/trump-trial-michael-cohen/.</ref>


== Terminology ==
== Terminology ==


* '''Campaign Finance Violation''': A breach of laws governing contributions and expenditures in federal elections, including limits on contributions and requirements for disclosure.
* '''Campaign Finance Violation''': Breaking laws that regulate contributions to and spending by political campaigns.


* '''Catch and Kill''': A tabloid journalism practice of purchasing the rights to a story in order to prevent its publication, often used to suppress negative information about public figures.
* '''Tax Evasion''': The illegal practice of not paying taxes owed through concealment or fraud.


* '''Home Confinement''': A form of supervised release where an offender is restricted to their residence and monitored electronically, with limited exceptions for approved activities.
* '''Fixer''': An informal term for someone who handles sensitive or potentially embarrassing problems for a client.


* '''SDNY''': The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, based in Manhattan and known for handling high-profile white-collar and public corruption cases.
* '''Hush Money''': Payments made to secure someone's silence about potentially damaging information.


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[FCI_Otisville_(medium-security)|FCI Otisville]]
* Paul Manafort
* [[Home_Confinement_and_Monitoring_Programs|Home Confinement and Monitoring Programs]]
* Steve Bannon
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]
* Prison Consultants
* [[Steve_Bannon|Steve Bannon]]
 
 
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
{{FAQSection/Start}}
 
{{FAQ
|question = Why did Michael Cohen go to prison?
|answer = Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax evasion, bank fraud, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress. The campaign finance violations involved arranging hush money payments to women who claimed affairs with Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen stated in court that he made the illegal payments "in coordination with and at the direction of" Trump. He also evaded taxes on more than $4 million in income and lied to Congress about Trump Organization efforts to build a tower in Moscow.<ref name="doj-plea" /><ref name="fox-sentence" />
}}
 
{{FAQ
|question = How long was Michael Cohen in prison?
|answer = Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison in December 2018. He reported to FCI Otisville in May 2019 and served over a year before being released to home confinement in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He completed his sentence in November 2021.<ref name="nbc-prison" /><ref name="pbs-retaliation" />
}}
 
{{FAQ
|question = What were the hush money payments Michael Cohen made?
|answer = Cohen arranged payments to two women who claimed affairs with Trump. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels received $130,000, while former Playboy model Karen McDougal received $150,000 through a "catch and kill" arrangement with American Media Inc. Cohen initially paid Daniels from his own funds and was reimbursed by Trump through payments disguised as legal fees. These payments violated federal campaign finance laws because they were made to influence the 2016 election but were not disclosed as campaign expenditures.<ref name="doj-plea" /><ref name="abc-everything" />
}}
 
{{FAQ
|question = Did Michael Cohen testify against Trump?
|answer = Yes, Cohen became an outspoken critic of Trump after his conviction and cooperated with multiple investigations. In May 2024, he served as a key prosecution witness in Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to the Stormy Daniels hush money payment. Cohen provided detailed testimony about Trump's alleged knowledge and direction of the scheme, though defense attorneys vigorously attacked his credibility.<ref name="npr-testimony" /><ref name="npr-trial" />
}}
 
{{FAQ
|question = What prison was Michael Cohen in?
|answer = Cohen served his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution Otisville, a facility in New York that houses a minimum-security prison camp. His home confinement was briefly interrupted in July 2020 when he was returned to prison after a dispute over release conditions. Cohen alleged this was retaliation for his plan to publish a book critical of Trump. A federal judge agreed there was evidence of retaliation and ordered his release back to home confinement.<ref name="nbc-prison" /><ref name="pbs-retaliation" />
}}
{{FAQSection/End}}
 


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]
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Latest revision as of 14:58, 17 December 2025

Michael Dean Cohen
Born: August 25, 1966
Lawrence, New York
Charges: Tax evasion, Bank fraud, Campaign finance violations, Lying to Congress
Sentence: 3 years
Facility: FCI Otisville
Status: Released

Michael Dean Cohen (born August 25, 1966) is an American attorney and convicted felon who served as personal attorney and "fixer" for Donald Trump from 2006 to 2018 before being sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax evasion, bank fraud, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress.[1] Cohen, who once said he would "take a bullet" for Trump, became a central figure in multiple legal controversies involving the former president, including the hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels that Cohen orchestrated at Trump's direction during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen pleaded guilty in August 2018 and was sentenced in December 2018, with a federal judge calling his crimes a "veritable smorgasbord" of illegal conduct.[2] Cohen served over a year in federal prison before being released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, completing his sentence in November 2021. He subsequently became a key witness in Trump's 2024 criminal trial on charges related to the hush money scheme.[3]

Summary

Michael Cohen's transformation from loyal Trump fixer to convicted felon to star prosecution witness represents one of the most dramatic personal reversals in modern American political history. For over a decade, Cohen served as Trump's attorney, dealmaker, and troubleshooter, handling sensitive matters that required discretion and a willingness to operate in ethical gray areas. He was known for his aggressive loyalty, once famously declaring that he would "take a bullet" for his boss. When federal investigators began examining his conduct, Cohen initially maintained his allegiance to Trump before ultimately deciding to cooperate with prosecutors and publicly turn against his former client.[4]

Cohen's crimes spanned multiple areas. He evaded taxes on more than $4 million in income, made false statements to banks to obtain loans, violated campaign finance laws by arranging hush money payments to women who claimed affairs with Trump, and lied to Congress about the Trump Organization's efforts to build a tower in Moscow. Each category of crime reflected a different aspect of Cohen's work for Trump and his own personal financial dealings.[1]

The campaign finance violations proved particularly significant because Cohen directly implicated Trump, stating in court that he made the illegal payments "in coordination with and at the direction of" a candidate for federal office—an obvious reference to Trump. This testimony would later form the foundation for criminal charges against Trump himself, making Cohen's case not just a personal downfall but a pivotal moment in the legal accountability of a former president.[5]

Background

Early Life and Career

Michael Dean Cohen was born on August 25, 1966, in Lawrence, New York, on Long Island. He attended American University and earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. Cohen practiced personal injury law and became involved in the taxi medallion business, among other ventures.[6]

Work for Donald Trump

Cohen began working for Donald Trump and the Trump Organization in 2006, eventually becoming Trump's personal attorney and executive vice president of the Trump Organization. In this role, Cohen handled a wide range of sensitive matters, earning a reputation as Trump's "fixer"—someone who would solve problems and protect Trump's interests through whatever means necessary.[4]

Cohen's work included managing public relations crises, dealing with legal threats, and handling transactions that required discretion. He was known for his aggressive, sometimes intimidating style when dealing with people who posed problems for Trump. This loyal service would continue for over a decade before Cohen's relationship with Trump collapsed.[5]

Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing

The Hush Money Payments

In 2016, as Trump was running for president, Cohen arranged payments to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels received $130,000 in exchange for her silence, while former Playboy model Karen McDougal received $150,000 through a "catch and kill" arrangement with American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer. Cohen initially paid Daniels from his own funds and was reimbursed by Trump through payments disguised as legal fees.[1]

These payments violated federal campaign finance laws because they were made to influence the 2016 election but were not disclosed as campaign expenditures. The fact that Cohen was reimbursed by Trump created a direct link between the candidate and the illegal conduct.[5]

Tax and Bank Fraud

Separately from the campaign finance violations, federal investigators discovered that Cohen had evaded taxes on more than $4 million in income over several years. The unreported income came from various sources including his taxi medallion business and consulting work. Cohen also made false statements to financial institutions to obtain loans.[1]

Lying to Congress

Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the Trump Organization's efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 campaign. Cohen had told congressional committees that negotiations over the Moscow project ended in January 2016, when in fact they continued at least until June 2016. This lie was designed to minimize the appearance of Trump's business interests in Russia during his campaign.[7]

Guilty Plea

On August 21, 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to eight felony counts: five counts of tax evasion, one count of making false statements to a financial institution, one count of willfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution, and one count of making an excessive campaign contribution. In his plea allocution, Cohen stated that he made the campaign finance violations "in coordination with and at the direction of" a candidate for federal office.[1]

In November 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to an additional count of lying to Congress, stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.[7]

Sentencing

On December 12, 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison. The judge characterized Cohen's crimes as a "veritable smorgasbord" of illegal conduct. Cohen was also ordered to pay approximately $1.4 million in restitution, forfeit $500,000, and pay a $50,000 fine. He was disbarred from practicing law in New York in February 2019.[8]

Prison Experience

Cohen reported to Federal Correctional Institution Otisville, a facility in New York that houses a minimum-security prison camp, in May 2019. He served over a year of his sentence before being released to home confinement in May 2020 as the Bureau of Prisons expanded home release in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Cohen's home confinement was briefly interrupted in July 2020 when he was returned to prison after a dispute over the conditions of his release. Cohen alleged that his return to prison was retaliation for his plan to publish a book critical of Trump. A federal judge agreed that there was evidence of retaliation and ordered Cohen's release back to home confinement. Cohen completed his sentence in November 2021.[10]

Witness Against Trump

Following his conviction, Cohen became an outspoken critic of Trump and cooperated with multiple investigations into his former boss. He testified before Congress and spoke extensively to media outlets about his experiences working for Trump.

In May 2024, Cohen served as a key prosecution witness in Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Cohen provided detailed testimony about Trump's alleged knowledge and direction of the hush money scheme, though defense attorneys vigorously attacked his credibility given his criminal record and his public statements against Trump.[11]

Public Statements and Positions

Cohen's public statements about Trump have evolved dramatically. Before his conviction, he was one of Trump's most vocal defenders. After pleading guilty and especially after his sentencing, Cohen became one of Trump's harshest critics, describing him as a con man and criminal.

Cohen published a book, "Disloyal," in 2020 detailing his time with Trump and characterizing his former boss in unflattering terms. He has maintained an active media presence, frequently commenting on legal matters involving Trump.[12]

Terminology

  • Campaign Finance Violation: Breaking laws that regulate contributions to and spending by political campaigns.
  • Tax Evasion: The illegal practice of not paying taxes owed through concealment or fraud.
  • Fixer: An informal term for someone who handles sensitive or potentially embarrassing problems for a client.
  • Hush Money: Payments made to secure someone's silence about potentially damaging information.

See also

  • Paul Manafort
  • Steve Bannon
  • Prison Consultants


Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Why did Michael Cohen go to prison?

Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax evasion, bank fraud, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress. The campaign finance violations involved arranging hush money payments to women who claimed affairs with Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen stated in court that he made the illegal payments "in coordination with and at the direction of" Trump. He also evaded taxes on more than $4 million in income and lied to Congress about Trump Organization efforts to build a tower in Moscow.[1][2]



Q: How long was Michael Cohen in prison?

Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison in December 2018. He reported to FCI Otisville in May 2019 and served over a year before being released to home confinement in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He completed his sentence in November 2021.[9][10]



Q: What were the hush money payments Michael Cohen made?

Cohen arranged payments to two women who claimed affairs with Trump. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels received $130,000, while former Playboy model Karen McDougal received $150,000 through a "catch and kill" arrangement with American Media Inc. Cohen initially paid Daniels from his own funds and was reimbursed by Trump through payments disguised as legal fees. These payments violated federal campaign finance laws because they were made to influence the 2016 election but were not disclosed as campaign expenditures.[1][5]



Q: Did Michael Cohen testify against Trump?

Yes, Cohen became an outspoken critic of Trump after his conviction and cooperated with multiple investigations. In May 2024, he served as a key prosecution witness in Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to the Stormy Daniels hush money payment. Cohen provided detailed testimony about Trump's alleged knowledge and direction of the scheme, though defense attorneys vigorously attacked his credibility.[3][11]



Q: What prison was Michael Cohen in?

Cohen served his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution Otisville, a facility in New York that houses a minimum-security prison camp. His home confinement was briefly interrupted in July 2020 when he was returned to prison after a dispute over release conditions. Cohen alleged this was retaliation for his plan to publish a book critical of Trump. A federal judge agreed there was evidence of retaliation and ordered his release back to home confinement.[9][10]



References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 U.S. Department of Justice, "Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Eight Counts, Including Criminal Tax Evasion And Campaign Finance Violations," August 21, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/michael-cohen-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court-eight-counts-including-criminal-tax.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fox News, "Michael Cohen, former Trump attorney, gets 3 years in prison for tax fraud, campaign finance violations, lying," December 2018, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cohen-slams-trumps-dirty-deeds-ahead-of-sentencing.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 NPR, "Michael Cohen, Trump's ex-fixer, testifies about hush money payment to Stormy Daniels," May 13, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/05/13/1250844236/trump-trial-michael-cohen.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Britannica, "Michael Cohen," https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Cohen.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 ABC News, "Everything you need to know about Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney," https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/michael-cohen-trumps-personal-attorney-now-testifying/story?id=61327524.
  6. ↑ New York Times, "Michael Cohen," https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/michael-d-cohen.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wiki-cohen
  8. ↑ Courthouse News Service, "Ex-Trump Attorney Michael Cohen Gets 3-Year Sentence," December 2018, https://www.courthousenews.com/sentencing-imminent-for-ex-trump-attorney-michael-cohen/.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 NBC News, "Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen arrives at federal prison to start three-year sentence," May 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-begin-serving-three-year-prison-n1002306.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 PBS News, "Appeals court says Michael Cohen can't hold Trump liable for retaliatory imprisonment," https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/appeals-court-says-michael-cohen-cant-hold-trump-liable-for-retaliatory-imprisonment.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 NPR, "Prosecutors rest their case against Trump in the hush money case," May 20, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/05/20/1252425791/trump-trial-michael-cohen.
  12. ↑ Just Security, "How Prosecutors Turned Michael Cohen's Greatest Liabilities into Their Assets," https://www.justsecurity.org/95956/trump-trial-michael-cohen/.


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