On Cohen’s Corroboration of Donald Trump’s Knowledge of “perfectly legal” Nondisclosure Agreements with Stormy Daniels

In 2018 Cohen pleaded guilty to various crimes, including violating federal campaign finance laws by issuing the payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. When given the chance to question Cohen for a second time, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen about that plea. Cohen admitted to lying on the stand during that trial.

And when asked about 11 invoices Cohen submitted in 2017, he said it was false that they were for legal services rendered as they had been submitted. He also testified that it was false that the payments were for any legal work done during the months they were issued.

Hoffinger also asked Cohen if the circumstances around the nondisclosure agreement with Daniels was, as Blanche phrased it last week, “perfectly legal” — Cohen said it wasn’t. Blanche’s questioning last week focused on how these agreements are legal.

Prosecutors have spent weeks setting up Cohen’s corroboration of Trump’s knowledge of the 34 allegedly falsified documents. He was set up as bullish, unlikeable and self-interested by them. At the same time, the defense and Trump himself have long attacked Cohen’s credibility.

While the criminal trial nears an end, the presumptive GOP nominee also continues balancing court appearances with campaign events. On Thursday, following an expected day in court, Trump will be hosting a rally in the South Bronx.

What Will the First Attorney General Tell Us About The Cohen-Cohen Tax Evasion Charges? Speaking at Trump’s Sessions with Todd Blanche

“I accepted responsibility and I was responsible for the consequences,” Cohen said last week while remembering that he testified in October that he had lied about the tax evasion charges.

It’s not known how long the defense will take, though lawyers said if they called any witnesses it wouldn’t take long. When he promised to testify in his defense, he didn’t answer reporters’ questions about his plan.

Todd Blanche asked if Cohen would have had a legal retainer to perform legal work for Trump, his family and his organization. Trump argues that the payments to Cohen were simply him paying his own lawyer.

In testimony that carried over into Tuesday morning’s session, Costello testified to conversations and emails he had with Cohen following a 2019 FBI raid on Cohen’s home and office.

A paralegal who verified call logs between a former Trump lawyer and his friend was called up by the defense. It was at that point that they summoned Costello to the stand.