First Time Cohen Has Accused the President of Committing Crimes While in Office
Michael Cohen will publicly accuse President Donald Trump of criminal conduct while in the White House during his highly anticipated congressional testimony.
The former Trump Organization attorney will reveal to the House Oversight Committee some of the president’s private financial statements and accuse Trump of manipulating the value of his net worth for business and personal reasons, such as avoiding taxes on his property, reported the Wall Street Journal.
The financial statements were created by the president’s accountant, and Cohen is expected to testify that he personally witnessed “lies, racism and cheating” by Trump.
Cohen is expected to describe racist remarks Trump made to him, such as questioning the intelligence of black Americans and criticizing their lifestyles.
The testimony will provide “evidence of criminal conduct since Mr. Trump became president,” but a source told the newspaper only that the testimony would cover a hush money payment to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels.
The congressional hearing would be the first time Cohen has accused the president of committing a crime while in office.
Cohen pleaded guilty in August to eight federal crimes in August, including tax evasion and making false statements to a bank, and in November to one count of lying to Congress.