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President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to 36 months in prison in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russian investigation. Cohen told the court he felt responsible to cover up Trump’s ‘dirty deeds.’ Cohen admitted he lied to Congress, committed campaign finance violations, and engaged in tax evasion. Cohen’s prison term begins in March.
Special counsel Robert Mueller suggested that President Trump’s former national security adviser should not get any jail time because he has provided ‘substantial assistance’ and ‘first-hand details’ to the Russia investigation. Mueller gave further details about Flynn’s extensive cover-up of his ties to the Turkish government. Flynn’s sentencing is set for December 18th.
President Trump’s longtime attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to lying about a Trump Tower project in Moscow. Cohen said he lied ‘out of loyalty’ to Trump. Cohen’s statement about the Moscow project directly contradicts Trump’s account. Cohen’s statement was part of a new plea deal with special counsel Robert Mueller.
US prosecutors say Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former campaign chief, has breached a plea bargain agreement by repeatedly lying to the FBI. Manafort was convicted of financial fraud in August relating to his work as a political consultant in Ukraine. Manafort’s lawyers insist that he did not breach the plea deal – however, both sides now agree that there is no reason to delay sentencing.
Following the conviction of President Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen and his implication that Trump paid ‘hush money’ to two women, Trump said Cohen made up ‘stories to get a ‘deal’ from federal prosecutors.’ Cohen is reportedly ‘more than happy’ to aid the Russian probe as Trump faces mounting pressure with the progressing investigation.
President Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes on Tuesday, a victory for special counsel Robert Mueller. Manafort’s trial was the first in the Russian election meddling probe. The jury failed to reach a verdict on 10 other charges and the judge declared a mistrial on those.
President Trump said on Monday he fears statements he makes under oath to Special Counsel Robert Mueller could be used to bring perjury charges against him as part of the Russian electoral interference investigation. Trump previously said ‘there is no collusion.’ Trump asserted that he could intervene in the investigation but has chosen not to.
Rick Gates testified in court on Monday that he was involved in criminal activity with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Special counsel Robert Mueller’s star witness, Gates served as Manafort’s business partner for nearly a decade until 2016. Gates initially pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and lying to federal authorities in February.
President Trump commented on Sunday that a 2016 Trump Tower meeting between top campaign-aides and a Kremlin-connected lawyer was designed to ‘get information on an opponent,’ seemingly Hillary Clinton. Trump’s comment is an admission that his team gave misleading information in July 2017 when Donald Trump Jr. said the meeting was primarily about the adoption of Russian children.
President Trump said Attorney General Jeff Sessions should end special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe on Wednesday, calling Mueller ‘totally conflicted’ and demanding the probe end ‘right now.’ Trump previously acknowledged the Department of Justice should be free from political interference. Questions have resurfaced about whether Trump’s attacks of the probe constitute obstruction of justice.