As expected, Michael Cohen threw his former boss, President Donald Trump, under the bus during Congressional testimony on Wednesday. The former attorney provided the House Oversight Committee with copies of Trump’s financial statements.
Cohen, who was disbarred this week, also provided a copy of a $35,000 check he claims was paid as “hush money” to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.
Cohen claims the checks were signed by Donald Trump, Jr. during Trump’s presidency.
A Trump official said Don Jr. was not aware at the time he signed the check that it was intended as payments to any women. Don Jr. reportedly believed the checks he signed were reimbursement for Cohen.
Cohen told the committee he artificially inflated the president’s net worth at Trump’s direction. He said he believes Trump and his son Don Jr. knew about the efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.
Cohen claimed he witnessed a chat between the President and Don Jr. that he believes provides proof that Trump and his son knew about the Moscow project.
Cohen referred to Trump as “unpatriotic” and a racist.
“I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat,” Cohen said.
He recalled an incident when Trump said, “I can shoot somebody on 5th Avenue and get away with it.”
Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) reminded Cohen that he is a “convicted liar” who testified before the committee during a prior hearing where he testified “under oath” as he is doing today.
Hice asked Cohen whether the committee should believe he was lying then but not lying now.
“Here we are today with … a convicted liar, lying to Congress, a criminal. I believe this witness is totally incompatible with the stated goal of having to seek the truth in this hearing.”
Hice added: “This is the first time in the history of Congress, we have someone testifying here that has already been convicted of lying to Congress. So congratulations for being the first in Congress to do that.”
Cohen responded sarcastically, “Thank you.”
Cohen added that he lied before Congress in order to protect Trump.
“I am not protecting Mr. Trump anymore,” Cohen said.
In 2018, Cohen was convicted of lying to Congress, campaign finance violations, and multiple counts of income tax evasion.
He must report to a federal prison to begin serving his three year sentence on March 6.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
