Federal prosecutors recommend that Michael Cohen receive a “substantial prison sentence” for an array of greed-motivated crimes. The former lawyer for Donald Trump “repeatedly used his power and influence for deceptive ends,” they said in a court filing released today (Dec. 7).
A further filing from special counsel Robert Mueller revealed that Cohen had spoken with a Russian individual during Trump’s 2016 election campaign, as well as having other “contacts with Russian interests.” He now faces a substantial prison sentence, as well as a hefty fine. The full details of both documents are available here.
Since abandoning the president and assisting with the government’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election, Cohen has revealed numerous incriminating details about the president’s Russian business dealings. He is also helping New York state investigators who continue to look into Trump’s charitable foundation.
Last week, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about Trump’s business plans in Russia. He also admitted that he had spoken to a Kremlin official about possible Russian government support for these projects, which involved building a Moscow-based tower. (Trump denies these claims.)
The revelations come after Cohen’s initial admission of guilt in August to violating campaign finance laws by paying off women who said they had been sexually involved with the president, as well as to breaking tax laws in his personal affairs.