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Michael Cohen—former President Donald Trump's one-time personal lawyer—is set to take the stand today as a key witness in the Manhattan hush money case against Trump. Trump's defense is expected to focus on questions around Cohen's credibility; the now-disbarred lawyer was sentenced to prison in 2018 for financial crimes, including violation of campaign finance laws.
In 2016, Cohen paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130K in exchange for silence over her alleged affair with then-candidate Trump. Documents show Cohen funneled his own personal money through a shell company, Essential Consultants LLC, to facilitate the payment. Cohen says he acted at Trump's direction and that Trump reimbursed him. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to the Stormy Daniels payments. He denies the affair and any wrongdoing.
Separately, Sen. Bob Menendez's (D-NJ) corruption trial is set to begin today over the discovery of 13 gold bars and more than $486K in cash in his home. Prosecutors say they were bribes from businessmen in exchange for actions benefiting Egypt and Qatar. Menendez has pleaded not guilty.