Michael Cohen speaks to reporters before entering a Manhattan courthouse on Monday. At left is his lawyer, Lanny Davis. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib
Former President Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, arrived Downtown at a Manhattan court Monday afternoon where he was to testify behind closed doors to a grand jury about alleged hush money paid on Trump’s behalf to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Cohen would be a key witness if the grand jury decides to indict Trump on charges stemming from the payments made before the 2016 election. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 to keep her quiet about her alleged affair with the president, and was reimbursed by Trump’s business. He received a prison sentence in 2018 for campaign finance violations connected to payments to Daniels and another woman.
Before entering the courthouse at 80 Centre Street, Cohen and his lawyer, Lanny Davis, stood briefly before a scrum of reporters and photographers. “This is not revenge,” Cohen said, “this is about accountability. He needs to be held accountable for his dirty deeds.”
Trump has denied the allegation, saying on Truth Social, his social media platform, “I did absolutely nothing wrong. I never had an affair with Stormy Daniels.” His lawyer has said he has no plans to testify.
