Michael Cohen testified right this moment that he stole $30,000 from the Trump Group on his manner out the door in early 2017 by overcharging the corporate as a part of his reimbursement for hush-money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Cohen admitted as a lot on the stand final week, when he mentioned the exit package deal he negotiated to assist cowl up the hush-money fee included an overcharge of $30,000 for an additional enterprise expense.
However right this moment, requested level clean by protection lawyer Todd Blanche if he had stolen from his former employer, Cohen mentioned, “Sure, sir.”
“Have you ever paid again the Trump group the cash that you just stole from them?” Blanche requested at one other level.
“No sir,” Cohen replied.
Cohen mentioned he claimed to have paid $50,000 out of pocket to a know-how firm referred to as Pink Finch. In reality, Cohen had solely paid Pink Finch $20,000 — all money in a brown paper bag that he delivered to Trump Tower at hand over to Pink Finch’s CEO.
The change got here close to the tip of Cohen’s cross-examination by Blanche, which lasted three days and wrapped up shortly earlier than midday. On re-direct questioning by a prosecutor, extra particulars concerning the theft got here out.
Cohen mentioned the service Pink Finch offered was to spice up Trump’s rating in a CNBC on-line ballot that requested individuals to call the best enterprise leaders in U.S. historical past. Trump was upset, Cohen testified, as a result of “he was polling in the direction of the very very backside.” Pink Finch promised to enhance Trump’s rating with an “algorithm” and by buying IP addresses that will move as particular person ballot contributors, Cohen testified.
Trump reached No. 9 in CNBC’s ballot however determined he nonetheless wouldn’t pay Pink Finch’s $50,000 price, Cohen testified. Cohen informed Manhattan Assistant District Legal professional Susan Hoffinger that after he paid $20,000, he claimed the distinction and pocketed $30,000 as a result of he was “indignant” at having his annual vacation bonus reduce. He agreed with Hoffinger that it was the fallacious factor to do.