Trump trial: Cohen faces Trump team grilling over past lies, recollections
The defense questioned Trump's former lawyer on Day 18 of the hush money trial.
Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
Top headlines:
- No decision yet about Trump testifying
- Defense argues Cohen's lack of retainer agreement was not an issue
- Defense accuses Cohen of lying about Trump phone call
- Defense challenges Cohen on past perjury
- Cohen says Trump approved payment of $420K, paid monthly
- Jury hears secret recording of Trump discussing payment
What to know about the hush money case
READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about the historic case.
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."
Cohen says Trump said payment was forthcoming at WH meeting
Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, picking up where he left off yesterday, recounted a meeting with Trump in Feb. 17, 2017, at the White House -- a key moment where prosecutors allege Trump personally discussed the repayment arrangement for the hush money Cohen had paid to Stormy Daniels.
"So I was sitting with President Trump and asked me if I was OK. He asked me if I needed money. And I said no, all good. He said, 'I can get a check.' I said, no I'm OK," Cohen recounted of the conversation.
"He said all right, just make sure you deal with Allen," Cohen said, referring to then-Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg.
"Did he say anything about anything that would be forthcoming to you?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"Yes, there would be a check for January and February," Cohen said.
The jury was shown a photo of Cohen in the White House briefing room, backing up that the meeting occurred.
Cohen is back on the stand
Michael Cohen has taken the stand for his second day of testimony.
He appeared to glance in the direction of Trump as he made his way to the stand, but the two did not appear to make eye contact.
Proceedings are underway
Judge Juan Merchan has gaveled in the day's proceedings.
"Good morning, Mr. Trump," he said in his usual fashion.
'Just do it,' Cohen says Trump told him about Daniels payment
Michael Cohen testified that as the clock ticked toward the 2016 election, it became increasingly clear he could no longer delay the nondisclosure arrangement with Stormy Daniels.
Cohen said Trump agreed.
"He stated to me that he had spoken to some friends, some individuals, very smart people. It's $130,000. Just pay it. There's no reason to keep this thing out there. Just do it. So he expressed to me, 'Just do it,'" Cohen said.
Then-Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg allegedly suggested that Cohen could fund the account that would ultimately wire the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels through one of Trump's golf courses, either through a membership or a wedding.
In a meeting with Weisselberg, Cohen said he suggested two options: "One option was to see if I knew anybody who wanted to purchase a golf membership," and a second option was for "somebody who was having a family affair, like a wedding or a bar mitzvah" pay that account and redeem the value as a "credit on their invoice."
"Why don't you pay?" Cohen testified he asked Weisselberg.
"He said to me that he wasn't financially in a position to do it," Cohen said.
Cohen said he eventually agreed to make the payment.
"I said I'll pay for it," Cohen said.
According to Cohen, both he and Weisselberg discussed the plan with Trump;
"Allen and I spoke to Mr. Trump and we expressed to him that I was going to front the money for it, to which he was appreciative," Cohen said.
Cohen said Trump replied, "Good, good."