Bribed Stormy at Trump’s behest: Cohen
Published: 14 May 2024,
Stormy Daniels and Donald Trumpfile Photo: Reuters
Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has claimed that porn star Stormy Daniels was bribed by former US President Donald Trump to keep his mouth shut about the relationship. He said this while testifying at the Manhattan court in New York on Monday.
“What I did, I did at Trump’s direction and for his benefit,” Cohen said in response to questions from counsel Susan Hoffinger during the deposition.
Cohen’s statement will be an advantage to counsel in presenting the argument that Trump was behind the bribe payments. Even if Trump himself did not give that money.
At one stage, the counsels took out the phone records and showed that Trump and Cohen spoke on the phone at the time of the bribe. Cohen called Trump on Oct. 28, 2016, and spoke for more than five minutes. The settlement with Stormy was finalized that day.
Cohen also said that he eventually transferred $130,000 through the bank to Stormi’s lawyer. Stormy signed the settlement agreement and additional documents that forced him to remain silent.
In response to a question from counsel Susan whether Trump knew about it, Cohen said he knew “immediately”. He told Trump about it. He knew that the work given to him was done.
Cohen also said he called Trump twice for permission to open a bank account to pay the bribe. Trump Organization CFO Allen Wieselberg later paid the money to Cohen. However, it was shown as ‘legal fees’.
The court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday. Cohen will testify on this day as well. Trump could be seen listening with his eyes closed while sitting in the courtroom as Cohen took depositions and answered questions Monday.
Trump’s longtime lawyer Michael CohenPhoto: AFP
Trump is accused of having a sexual relationship with Stormy Daniels in 2006. Later, before the 2016 presidential election, Trump bribed Stormy with $130,000 not to open up about it. Trump hid this information in business records.
Trump has been charged with 34 counts of fraud involving business information. The charges came after allegations of an attempt to pay Stormi $130,000 to keep her mouth shut came to light.