Michael Cohen, ex-lawyer for former President Donald Trump, continued his testimony on Monday. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Weisselberg and Cohen in 2017 calculated a $420,000 repayment to Cohen for his $130,000 payment to former pornography star Stormy Daniels, as well as the alleged $50,000 payment to Red Finch. Cohen's payment to Daniels came ahead of the 2016 election to quiet her claims of an alleged affair with Trump.
Cohen said Monday before the court, however, that he only paid Red Finch $20,000 – meaning he pocketed $30,000 when he was reimbursed.
"You stole from the Trump Org, right?" Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked Cohen Wednesday morning.
"Yes, sir," Cohen responded.
NY V. TRUMP: MICHAEL COHEN TESTIFIES HE'S CONSIDERING CONGRESSIONAL RUN
He testified that the Trump Organization thought he paid the full amount, for which he was still reimbursed despite not having actually paid it.
Michael Cohen is questioned by defense lawyer Todd Blanche during former President Trump's criminal trial in New York City, May 14, 2024, in this courtroom sketch. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg )
"It's increasingly likely that even if you don't get an outright acquittal, I think there's a very good chance you could at least – at least – get a hung jury in this case. And keep in mind, the reason Michael Cohen's testimony is so pivotal is because Alvin Bragg has to bootstrap what would ordinarily be misdemeanor bookkeeping charges into this felony charge. [He has to] basically show that those bookkeeping offenses were made in the furtherance of, or in an effort to cover up, this other offense, which it looks like is this supposed campaign finance violation," Smith said.
NY V. TRUMP TO RESUME WITH CONTINUED CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MICHAEL COHEN AS TRIAL NEARS CONCLUSION
Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in the case. DA Alvin Bragg must prove to the jury that not only did Trump falsify the business records related to payments to Stormy Daniels, but that he did so in furtherance of another crime – conspiracy to promote or prevent election.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court, April 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
"I would also need to know whether or not there's been any type of immunity deal offered in exchange for his testimony. Of course, that information should have been turned over to the defense… because, of course, that goes to the weight of his testimony, if the jurors would find him credible or not. So there's more information I would need to know before you know whether he could technically be prosecuted," Smith said.
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"But certainly he's admitted to a crime under oath, which would ordinarily subject someone to criminal charges, unless there's been some type of immunity or reach or unless the statute of limitations is run or something along those lines."
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