Cohen says invoices he submitted were false records
Michael Cohen told jurors that he submitted 11 invoices to the Trump Organization over the course of 2017 to get his reimbursement for the Stormy Daniels hush money payment and other expenses -- but that they were false records because they were not for their stated purpose of a retainer fee.
Asked the purpose of the $420,000 payment over the year, Cohen said "the reimbursement to me of the hush money fee along with Red Finch, and the bonus."
"Was this invoice a false record?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"Yes ma'am," Cohen said.
"Were any of those invoices you submitted for services performed pursuant to a retainer agreement?" Hoffinger asked.
"No," Cohen replied.
Hoffinger then walked Cohen through each of the false invoices he sent, and the checks that he received in return.
As Hoffinger showed Cohen each document, he confirmed that there was no retainer agreement at the time and that the invoices were false.
"Is that a false record?" Hoffinger asked about each invoice.
"Yes ma'am," Cohen said.
After each invoice, Cohen identified the check he received.
"Did you receive this check for $35,000 in response to that false invoice?" Hoffinger asked.
"Yes ma'am," Cohen replied.
"Whose signature is it?" asked Hoffinger.
"Donald J. Trump" said Cohen.
"Was this the last check that you received from Mr. Trump or anyone at the Trump Organization?" Hoffinger asked about a December 2017 check for $35,000.
"Yes," Cohen said, explaining that the "full reimbursement of the $420,0000 had been paid."
