OMG!
Trump Was Negotiating to Build a Trump Tower in Moscow as Late as June of 2016, Despite Claims, Cohen Admits
This article has been updated based on court documents.
President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney and former Trump Organization executive vice president Michael Cohen minutes ago pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in federal court.
In his statement, Cohen told the court that as recently as June of 2016, Trump was still negotiating to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.
Official Justice Dept. court documents state the negotiations continued “as late as approximately June 2016.”
MSNBC had earlier reported Cohen had stated the negotiations continued into January of 2017.
Axios, citing a CNN report, says the negotiations continued as late as August of 2017:
Per CNN, Cohen told congressional investigators that he had stopped working on a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow in January 2016. He has admitted that he had discussions about the deal as late as August 2017. https://t.co/impNMOLPry
— Axios (@axios) November 29, 2018
Here is NBC News’ report:
BREAKING: Michael Cohen names the president in court involving Moscow project, and discussions that he alleges continued into 2017. @Tom_Winter explains after attending the court hearing this morning. https://t.co/6VteqRXgoD pic.twitter.com/iw9Mld32KV
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 29, 2018
Trump during the campaign and after repeatedly told voters he had no business ties to Russia. Cohen’s sworn statements prove that to be false.
“Cohen made a surprise appearance Thursday in a New York courtroom at around 9 a.m.,” The Associated Press reports. “He admitted to making false statements in 2017 to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.”
Michael Cohen leaves federal courthouse without saying anything to reporters, but his attorney says he “has cooperated and will continue to cooperate.” pic.twitter.com/X481zLNJn5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 29, 2018
UPDATE: 10:21 AM ET –
The August 2017 date Axios and CNN are apparently reporting appears to be in question. But NBC News’ January 2017 date has not been called in to question.
UPDATE: 10:35 AM ET –
NCRM has examined the official Justice Dept. documents and determines Cohen admitted the negotiations continued as late as June of 2016, not into 2017, as MSNBC, CNN, and Axios reported. This report has been updated as a result.
This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.