Michael Cohen
| Michael Cohen | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 1966-08-25 Lawrence, New York |
| Charges: | Tax evasion, Bank fraud, Campaign finance violations, Lying to Congress |
| Sentence: | 3 years |
| Facility: | FCI Otisville |
| Status: | Released (served remainder on home confinement) |
Michael Dean Cohen (born August 25, 1966) is an American attorney and businessman who served as the personal attorney for Donald Trump from 2006 to 2018. In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges including tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential election. Cohen became a key witness against Trump and a vocal critic of his former client.
Early Life
Michael Dean Cohen was born on August 25, 1966, in Lawrence, New York, on Long Island. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family.
Education
- Attended public schools on Long Island
- Bachelor's degree from American University
- Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (1991)
Cohen was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1992.
Early Career
Before working for Trump, Cohen:
- Practiced personal injury law
- Invested in taxi medallions, building significant wealth
- Became involved in real estate
- Served on the board of his co-op building, where he met Donald Trump's family
Work for Donald Trump
Joining the Trump Organization
Cohen began working for the Trump Organization in 2006 after impressing Donald Trump in a legal matter involving Trump's condominium building. His role expanded significantly over time.
Role and Responsibilities
Cohen served as:
- Personal attorney to Donald Trump
- Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization
- Co-president of Trump Entertainment
- "Fixer" who handled sensitive matters for Trump
He was known for his aggressive style in defending Trump, famously saying he would "take a bullet" for his boss.
Notable Activities
During his tenure, Cohen handled numerous sensitive matters:
- Threatened journalists and others who wrote negatively about Trump
- Negotiated deals and settlements
- Handled confidential matters on Trump's behalf
- Explored Trump business deals including in Russia
Hush Money Payments
Karen McDougal
In 2016, Cohen helped arrange a $150,000 payment from American Media Inc. (publisher of the National Enquirer) to former Playboy model Karen McDougal in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump. This "catch and kill" arrangement was later the subject of legal scrutiny.
Stormy Daniels
In October 2016, weeks before the presidential election, Cohen arranged a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels) in exchange for her silence about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. Cohen:
- Set up a shell company, Essential Consultants LLC, to make the payment
- Used a home equity line of credit to fund the payment
- Was later reimbursed by the Trump Organization
Criminal Investigation and Charges
FBI Raid
On April 9, 2018, FBI agents raided Cohen's office, home, and hotel room pursuant to a search warrant. The raids were based on a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
Guilty Plea
On August 21, 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal charges:
- Five counts of tax evasion
- One count of making false statements to a financial institution
- One count of willful cause of an unlawful corporate contribution
- One count of making an excessive campaign contribution
At his plea hearing, Cohen stated that he made the hush money payments "in coordination with, and at the direction of" a candidate for federal office - understood to be Donald Trump.
Additional Guilty Plea
On November 29, 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the timeline of negotiations for Trump Tower Moscow, a project that Cohen had pursued during the 2016 campaign.
Sentencing
On December 12, 2018, Judge William H. Pauley III sentenced Cohen to:
- 36 months in federal prison
- 3 years of supervised release
- Restitution of $1.39 million
- Forfeiture of $500,000
- Fines of $100,000
The judge noted that while Cohen provided valuable information to investigators, he had also committed serious crimes.
Cooperation with Investigators
Cohen cooperated with multiple investigations:
Mueller Investigation
Cohen provided information to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Congressional Testimony
On February 27, 2019, Cohen testified publicly before the House Oversight Committee, making numerous allegations against Trump including:
- That Trump directed the hush money payments
- That Trump had advance knowledge of WikiLeaks releases
- That Trump inflated and deflated his assets as needed
- Various other claims about Trump's conduct
SDNY and State Investigations
Cohen also cooperated with investigations by the Southern District of New York and later with Manhattan District Attorney investigations.
Incarceration
FCI Otisville
Cohen reported to FCI Otisville, a minimum-security federal prison camp in New York, on May 6, 2019. The facility is known for its significant Jewish population and religious accommodations.
Early Release Due to COVID-19
In May 2020, Cohen was released to home confinement due to concerns about COVID-19 in federal prisons.
Return to Custody
In July 2020, Cohen was briefly returned to prison after authorities alleged he violated terms of his release by refusing to sign a document limiting his media contacts. His lawyers argued this was retaliation for writing a book about Trump.
Final Release
A federal judge ruled that Cohen's return to custody was retaliatory and ordered him released to home confinement, where he completed his sentence.
Post-Release Activities
Book
In September 2020, Cohen published "Disloyal: A Memoir," in which he detailed his relationship with Trump and his own crimes. The book became a bestseller.
Media Presence
Cohen has:
- Made numerous television appearances
- Hosts a podcast
- Continues to speak publicly about Trump
- Cooperates with ongoing investigations
Role in Trump Prosecution
Cohen was a key witness in the 2023 Manhattan District Attorney's case against Donald Trump, testifying about the hush money payments and related matters. Trump was indicted in March 2023 on charges related to the Stormy Daniels payments.
Legacy and Significance
The "Fixer" Role
Cohen's case illuminated the role of personal attorneys who handle sensitive matters for powerful clients, raising questions about legal ethics and the boundaries of attorney-client relationships.
Campaign Finance Implications
The hush money payments raised important questions about:
- What constitutes campaign contributions
- Disclosure requirements
- The intersection of personal and campaign activities
Transformation
Cohen's journey from loyal Trump defender to cooperating witness and vocal critic represented one of the most dramatic transformations in modern political history.
See Also
- FCI Otisville
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Offense Enhancements
- Home Confinement and Monitoring Programs
- Cooperation Mechanisms: Proffers and Substantial Assistance
References
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