(RepublicanNews.org) – A former attorney to President Donald Trump told media February 1 that he turned over all his records, and all his cell phones, to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Michael Cohen, personal attorney to President Trump from 2006 to 2018, pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple counts of campaign finance violations and tax fraud.
Cohen’s latest turning over of documents and phones is connected to Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s continuing case against Trump for allegedly paying “hush money” to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump is accused of having an affair with the actress and paying her off before the 2016 presidential campaign.
Cohen told CNN the DA’s office asked for his cell phones so they could download recordings of calls between Cohen and a former attorney to actress Daniels. He also alluded to “a bunch of emails” and text messages prosecutors are likely seeking.
DA Bragg started presenting evidence to a grand jury this week on January 30. Simply empaneling a grand jury is a strong indication the prosecutor likely intends to proceed with a full case against Trump. Whether that grand jury decides to indict will decide whether such a case proceeds.
Cohen has been noticeably cooperative with recent attempts to prosecute his former boss. During his CNN interview, Cohen said DA Bragg’s case regarding the alleged payments and alleged extramarital affair was “the simplest to prove”, that it was “the most destructive” to Trump personally and in a business sense.
Among the evidence Bragg showed the grand jury was witness testimony, including from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Prosecutors believe Pecker was involved in some way in transmitting the alleged payments to Stormy Daniels.
Meanwhile, New York State Attorney General Letitia James has her sights set on Trump, too. James is suing Trump, his three children, and the Trump Organization, alleging they manipulated the value of assets to deceive banks and insurers. The Trumps deny these charges.
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