NEW YORK: Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen testified on Monday that he stole money from Trump's company, an admission that could chip away at his credibility as a star witness at the former US prez's hush money trial.
Questioned by Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche, Cohen acknowledged stealing from the Trump Organization by including a reimbursement to a technology company in his bonus package and pocketing most of the money. "So you stole from the Trump Organization, right?" Blanche asked. "Yes sir," Cohen, 57, testified.
Cohen said he paid roughly $20,000 of the $50,000 that Trump's company owed to the tech company in cash, handing it off in a brown paper bag at his office. He said he kept the rest. He was reimbursed $100,000 total by the Trump Organization for that payment.
Cohen is the final and most important witness for prosecutors as they seek to convince a jury that Trump broke law by covering up a $130,000 payment that bought the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before 2016 election. But as a convicted felon and admitted liar, Cohen is a problematic witness. Prosecutors have buttressed his testimony with documentary evidence, while Trump's lawyers have sought to undermine Cohen's credibility
After his testimony concludes, Trump's lawyers will have a chance to present evidence and witnesses of their own. It was unclear if Trump will take the stand. Though Trump has said he planned to testify, his lawyer told judge that it was no longer certain.
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