In the hush money trial against former president Donald Trump, Michael Cohen admitted to stealing $60,000 from Trump’s organization after overstating expenses for a poll-rigging tech company. Legal experts say that Cohen could have faced up to seven years in prison if charged with third-degree grand larceny, but the statute of limitations has since expired. However, Cohen’s admission of theft from Trump could be beneficial for the defense in discrediting him as a witness.
Cohen, who served prison time for various crimes including tax evasion and campaign finance violations, confessed to giving money to the Red Finch CEO in exchange for services to help rig 2016 election polls in Trump’s favor. When Trump’s finance chief asked Cohen if he needed a reimbursement for the amount, Cohen agreed and was paid $60,000. He admitted to never returning the money to the Trump Organization.
Despite Cohen’s testimony, legal experts believe that Trump is unlikely to cooperate in a case against Cohen for the theft as it could expose his own questionable dealings. However, Cohen’s history of lies and criminal convictions could ultimately impact his credibility as a witness. Prosecutors claim that Trump falsified business records to cover up payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, while Trump has denied the charges and maintained that the case relies solely on the word of Cohen.
Former Manhattan prosecutors emphasized that Cohen’s admission of stealing from Trump could help the defense in discrediting him as a witness. Cohen’s history of lies and criminal convictions could sway a jury to question the reliability of his testimony. Despite this, prosecutors are pursuing charges against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Trump has denied the charges, calling Cohen an ex-convict and a liar whose word should not be trusted.
The statute of limitations for grand larceny charges against Cohen has expired, but his admission of stealing from Trump could still be relevant in discrediting his testimony as a witness. Cohen’s history of lies and criminal convictions could cast doubt on his credibility in court. Prosecutors are pushing forward with charges against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Trump maintains his innocence and argues that the case is built solely on the unreliable word of Cohen.
