Defense attorneys for former President Trump are expected to continue their cross-examination of Michael Cohen when court resumes Thursday morning. Cohen is said to be the star witness and will give the final testimony in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against the former president.
Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified business records 34 times to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic performer, in the lead-up to the 2016 election to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence.
So far, Cohen has testified he personally made the $130,000 payment to Daniels using a home equity line of credit in an effort to conceal the payment from his wife. Cohen said he did this because Trump told him to 'handle it' and prevent a negative story from coming out ahead of the election.
Cohen testified that he was 'reimbursed $420,000' for the $130,000 he paid to Daniels. Cohen said former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg suggested he 'gross up' the payments and that Trump knew the details of the reimbursement.
The prosecution presented Cohen with 11 checks totaling $420,000. Cohen confirmed that they were all received and deposited. The checks had a description of a 'retainer,' which Cohen said was false.
Under cross-examination by Trump attorney Todd Blanche, Cohen testified he apologized for lying to Congress, the country, and his family in 2017. Cohen admitted to campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress, and tax evasion, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Blanche grilled Cohen about his past negative statements about Trump and questioned his interactions with former New York prosecutor Mark Pomerantz. Cohen admitted to meeting with Pomerantz, who resigned in 2022 when Bragg took over the Manhattan DA's probe of Trump.
Cohen's expected continued testimony Thursday follows Robert Costello's testimony that Cohen was a serial liar. Costello testified that Cohen claimed he 'took care' of the Stormy Daniels payments himself and did not receive money from Trump for the arrangement.
Trump is under a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, preventing him from speaking about witnesses or court staff. Trump's appeal of the gag order was denied by the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, and his attorneys may now appeal to the New York Court of Appeals.
