squistion

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790460692434133153 Blanche asking Cohen a series of questions about Cohen's refusal to stop talking to the press/media, despite the DA's Office and his attys asking him to do so. BLANCHE: You also talked on Mea Culpa your desire to see Trump get convicted in this case? COHEN: Sounds like something I’d say BLANCHE: Have you regularly commented on your podcasts that you want president trump convicted in this case? COHEN: Yes probably. BLANCHE: Do you have any doubt? COHEN: “I would like to see accountability.” But “It’s not for me, it’s for the jury and this case.

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790449778918035687 Here’s how the cross-exam of Michael Cohen began: BLANCHE: Mr. Cohen, my name is Todd Blanche and you and I have never met. BLANCHE: You went on TikTok and called me a “crying little ” COHEN: “that sounds like something I would say” OBJECTION: SUSTAINED BLANCHE: “You referred to Trump as a ‘Dictator Douche Bag’? COHEN: “Sounds like something I said” BLANCHE: You said he should go back to “Where he belongs, in a cage, like a animal.” You recall saying that? COHEN: I recall saying that. Blanche asks a series of questions to which the prosecution objects as they violate the attorney-client privilege between Cohen and his now-former lawyer, Lanny Davis.

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790425739382386832 Direct Examination of Michael Cohen is now completed.

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790425624659816633 HOFFINGER: Do you have any regrets about your past work and association with Mr. Trump? COHEN: ”I do”.....“I regret doing things for him that I should not have. Lying, bullying people in order to effectuate the goal. I don’t regret working for the Trump Organization. As I expressed before, some very interesting, great times. But to — to keep the loyalty and to do things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass and I suffered the penalty and so has my family.”

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790425056092565871 Katie's Sidebar: The prosecution has anticipated the areas that could be potential Achilles' heels for Michael Cohen's testimony and Susan Hoffinger is taking them on -- one by one -- during his Direct Examination. By "drawing the sting" now, the prosecution controls how these potentially negative issues about Cohen are initially introduced to the jury. When the defense gets up to cross-examine Cohen on these areas, they won't be hearing them for the first time and they won't be a surprise to the jurors.

That is a lie. I never said I wanted Avenatti to be President (see thread in PSF). I posted some polls showing about 2-3% support among Democrats but never said I was also a supporter.

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790421332120989948 HOFFINGER: Mr. Cohen, since you pleaded guilty in 2018, have you made public statements that you don't believe you should have been found guilty of two of those crimes? COHEN: I have. COHEN: “What I did dispute and I continue to dispute was that for a first time offender, who has consistently paid taxes on its due date, never having been audited, that this would go immediately to a criminal charge. The day that we found out I was given 48 hours within which to plead guilty, the SDNY was going to file an 80 page indictment that was going to include my wife” HOFFINGER: Mr Cohen, you were cross examined about statements you made about it being unfair for you to be prosecuted for tax evasion, did MR Trump’s lawyers ask you that as a result of those public statements you lied in 2018 to the judge ? COHEN: Yes HOFFINGER: You told Judge Pauley that was a lie and you agreed to plead guilty? COHEN: Yes HOFFINGER: Can you explain very briefly what you mean when you said you lied to judge pauley? COHEN: I was saying i was going to take responsibility because the underlying fact i never disputed but it goes back to the issue that i was given 48 hours to accept a plea offer before they would file 80 page indictment and include my wife and i wanted to protect my wife HOFFINGER: You never said you lied to judge pauley…about the two campaign finance violations COHEN: That’s correct. HOFFINGER:Are you still a practicing attorney? COHEN: No, ma’am I lost my law license as a result of this HOFFINGER: How many years did you practice law before you disbarred COHEN: 30

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790421043338969510 HOFFINGER: At any time, did you alter or modify the audio recording of your conversation with Mr. Trump [People’s 246]? COHEN: No ma’am. HOFFINGER: Mr. Cohen, since you pleaded guilty in 2018, have you made public statements that you don't believe you should have been found guilty of two of those crimes? COHEN: I have. COHEN: “What I did dispute and I continue to dispute was that for a first time offender, who has consistently paid taxes on its due date, never having been audited, that this would go immediately to a criminal charge. The day that we found out I was given 48 hours within which to plead guilty, the SDNY was going to file an 80 page indictment that was going to include my wife”

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790420419704717603 Cohen now details his multiple cooperation experiences with different government agencies and prosecutors' offices. HOFFINGER: Have you applied for a reduction [in your sentence]? COHEN: Yes HOFFINGER: Have you asked for a letter from our office to assist you in seeking a reduction for federal crimes? COHEN: yes HOFFINGER: in 2021, was your understanding that our office said we might provide you with such a letter if prosecutors would consider reducing your sentence? COHEN: Yes, ma'am HOFFINGER: Southern District prosecutors declined to accept? COHEN: Yes HOFFINGER: Despite that you still provided our office info? COHEN: I have HOFFINGER: Did it impact you telling the truth to the grand jury or here in court COHEN: no ma’am HOFFINGER: Did it impact you telling the truth here in court COHEN: No Ma’am

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790419141838668101 HOFFINGER: Where did you serve? COHEN: Federal Correctional Facility in Otisville. I: spent 13 months in prison. Based on the COVID/cares act, “I was permitted to leave and serve the remainder of the sentence in home confinement.” COHEN: I was supposed to have a meeting for an electronic monitoring bracelet. And they give us a two page document that’s supposed to represent the federal location monitoring agreement. But it doesn't look like a federal document to me. There’s no identifiable numbers on to it. The first paragraph is a very broad paragraph of first amendment violations. I am not allowed to speak to the press- HOFFINGER: did you question that agreement? COHEN: i did HOFFINGER: as a result of questioning it, were you sent back to prison COHEN: yes, back to solitary confinement

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790417437093155024 HOFFINGER: Did you apologize? COHEN: “I apologized to Congress, I apologized to the country, I apologized to my family” HOFFINGER: What did you apologize to the American public for? COHEN: For lying to them and suppressing info and the citizenry had a right to know about the individual seeking the highest office in the land HOFFINGER What was that experience like, testifying before congress? COHEN: horrible HOFFINGER: Did you also provide info to prosecutors in the Special Counsel office? COHEN: yes, I met with them a number of times and provided info HOFFINGER: In your first meeting in August 2018, did you tell them the truth? COHEN: I did not because I was still holding on to the loyalty of President Trump

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790417437093155024 HOFFINGER: Three months before you surrendered, did you testify publicly before Congress? COHEN: I did. HOFFINGER: Did you testify about a number of matters related to President Trump? COHEN: I did, including about Trump having directed me to pay off Stormy Daniels prior to the election.

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790415811833901505 EXHIBIT 407: TRUMP TWEETS ABOUT MICHAEL COHEN: “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!” “I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” - make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!” HOFFINGER: You pleaded guilty on Aug 21st? COHEN: Yes HOFFINGER: President Trump tweeted on Aug 22? COHEN: Yes. HOFFINGER: Who did you understand these tweets were addressed to? COHEN: To me to let me know that I am no longer important to the fold HOFFINGER: what was it like having the president tweet this the day after you plead guilty? COHEN: “Caused a lot of angst, anxiety” HOFFINGER: Despite these tweets, three months later, did you plead guilty to making false statements to Congress related to the Russia probe? COHEN: Yes, I stated and submitted as part of the record that I had spoken to President Trump about Trump Tower Moscow. HOFFINGER: Did you plead guilty in August and Nov of 2018? COHEN: Yes and I was sentenced to 36 months incarceration, followed by 36 months of supervised release, restitution stemmed from the amount of tax not paid over the years from 2012-2016, $1,394,000. HOFFINGER: When did you surrender to prison? COHEN: May 6, 2019

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790414339138359738 HOFFINGER: Did you also plead guilty to five counts of evasion of taxes? COHEN: I did HOFFINGER: Did you also plead guilty to one count of false statement to a financial institution? COHEN: I did HOFFINGER: Were those in any way related to mr trump COHEN: No ma’am HOFFINGER: What was that day like for you , pleading guilty to all of those crimes COHEN: “Worst day of my life”

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790413658616692787 HOFFINGER: Did you plead guilty in the Southern District to a number of federal crimes? COHEN: I did. I made a decision based on conversations with my family that I would not lie for President Trump any longer. HOFFINGER: Did you plead guilty to making an excessive campaign contribution? COHEN: I did. HOFFINGER: What did that charge relate to? COHEN: Stormy Daniels HOFFINGER: The $130,000 to buy life rights to her story so it would not be public and done on behalf of President Trump? COHEN: Yes. HOFFINGER: Why did you pay that money to Stormy Daniels? COHEN: “To ensure that the story would not come out, and would not affect Mr. Trump’s chances of becoming president of the United States.” HOFFINGER: If not for the election, would you have paid that money to stormy daniels? COHEN: No ma’am HOFFINGER: at whose direction did you pay the money? COHEN: Trump’s

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790413485572288813 HOFFINGER: In the months after the raids, in your home, office, hotel, did you have conversations with your family about the matter? COHEN: yes COHEN: “And the conversations with my family was what to do. We’re in this unique situation. Never experienced. And my family, my wife, my daughter. My son. All said to me, why are you holding on to this loyalty. What are you doing. We’re supposed to be your first loyalty.” HOFFINGER: So what decision did you make COHEN: “That it was about time to listen to them.” COHEN: to my wife, my daughter, my son, and the country

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790412551848943882 PEOPLE’S EXHIBIT 208 - EMAIL FROM COSTELLO TO COHEN “Something you should see. Bob” COHEN EMAIL TO COSTELLO: SUBJECT LINE: “Giuliani on possibility of Cohen cooperating, Mueller probe - YouTube” "Why send this to me?" ____________________________________ HOFFINGER: What was the video about? COHEN: My possible cooperation in the Mueller probe EXHIBIT - [portions of] EMAIL FROM COSTELLO TO COHEN “The answer to your question will be found in watching the video…” HOFFINGER: Did you ever tell the truth to Mr Costello about Trump’s involvement in AMI’s purchase of the McDougal story to prevent it coming out or his involvement in your payment to Stormy Daniels to keep it from coming out? COHEN: NO

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790410624088072548 EMAIL From Robert Costello TO Michael Cohen Michael, Since you jumped off the phone rather abruptly, I did not get a chance to tell you that my friend has communicated to me that he is meeting with his client this evening, and he added that if there was anything you wanted to convey you should tell me and my friend will bring it up for discussion this evening. “ HOFFINGER: who was the “my friend” reference? COHEN: Giuliani and Giuliani’s "client" would refer to Trump HOFFINGER: why didn’t he use the names Giuliani and Trump? COHEN: “to be covert,” “very I-spyish” COHEN: “Clearly never mentioning President Trump, just using codeword.” HOFFINGER: What did this mean? COHEN: They are talking about potential pre-pardons, I believe. COHEN: Mr. Costello was again pressuring me as he had done with constant calls and emails and he wanted to absolutely be retained to represent me in this matter and I said I was speaking with someone in a boutique firm and not ready to engage. Costello was angry that I would sit down with the other attorney and not sit down with him and I’d had enough and I told him...and he expressed to me that it was necessary to seek clarification. My concern here is all of these conversations were being relayed back to Giuliani and of course President Trump.

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790408461278453893 PEOPLE’S EXHIBIT 204 - ROBERT COSTELLO EMAIL TO COHEN Michael, I just spoke to Rudy Giuliani and told him I was on your team. Rudy was thrilled and said this could not be a better situation for the President or you. He asked me if it was ok to call the President and Jay Sekelow and I said fine. We discussed the facts, Jay Goldberg’s stupid remarks, etc. He asked me to tell you that he knows how tough this is on you and your family and he will make sure to tell the president. He said thank you for opening this back channel of communication and asked me to keep in touch. I told him I would after speaking to you further. PEOPLE’S EXHIBIT 205 - [Portions of] EMAIL FROM ROBERT COSTELLO TO COHEN I spoke with Rudy, Very Very positive, you are loved….I told him everything you asked me to….there was never a doubt and they are in our corner…..”Sleep well tonight. You have friends in high places… PS Some very positive comments about you from the White House COHEN: "The 'friend in high places' was President Trump” PEOPLE’S EXHIBIT 407F SHOWN - THE TRUMP TWEET [showing support for Cohen] HOFFINGER: What’s the date of these tweets? COHEN: April 21, 2018, same date as email from Costello HOFFINGER: What effect did these emails and support tweets have on you? COHEN: “It let me know that I was still important to the team and stay the course, that the President had my back.”

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790407406587113974 HOFFINGER: You understood that if you provided the info about Trump [and Stormy Daniels] to Costello that the info would go somewhere else? COHEN: I was concerned when he mentioned his close relationship with Rudy that anything I said would be told to Giuliani, and since Giuliani was close with trump, I was worried anything that I said would get back to him.” HOFFINGER: After the meeting with Costello did you also speak on phone and exchange emails and text messages? COHEN: Yes

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790405583583220015 After a brief morning recess, Michael Cohen is back on the stand. HOFFINGER: Are you familiar with a lawyer named Robert Costello? COHEN: Yes. HOFFINGER: Did Mr. Trump tell you anything about Costello's background? COHEN: He told me he was a criminal defense attorney and “incredibly close to Rudy Giuliani." I met him at the Regency; I was distraught, nervous, concerned. At that meeting at the Regency, their immediate concern was: "First is that you have to obviously try to…remember what’s in those boxes…” [the boxes that were seized] HOFFINGER: Did he tell you about his ties to Giuliani? COHEN: Costello said: “As close as you can imagine.” “And that would be a relationship that would be very beneficial to you going forward with this matter.” COHEN: “Mr. Giuliani at the time had a very close relationship and was spending a tremendous amount of time with Mr. Trump.” COHEN: Costello said this would be a great way to have a back channel to the President to make sure you are still good and still secure amount of time with Mr. Trump.”

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790403268646244828 HOFFINGER: What effect if anything did these public statements have on you? COHEN: They reinforced my loyalty, and my intention to stay in the fold HOFFINGER: Was the Trump Org paying your legal fees? COHEN: yes. HOFFINGER: You a part of a joint defense agreement? COHEN: I was. HOFFINGER: what understanding did you have about that statement? COHEN: “That Mr trump did not want me to cooperate with the government, or certainly not provide information or flip”

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790402922251174124 EXHIBIT SHOWN - TRUMP TWEET (4/21/18) ABOUT MAGGIE HABERMAN/NYT: The New York times and a third rate reporter named Maggie Haberman, known as a Crooked H flunkie who I don’t speak to and have nothing to do with, are going out of their way to destroy Michael Cohen and his relationship with me in the hope that he will “flip.” They use…non-existent “sources” and a drunk/drugged up loser who hates Michael, a fine person with a wonderful family. Michael is a businessman for his own account/lawyer who I have always liked & respected. Most people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble, even if… …it means lying or making up stories. Sorry, I don’t see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media!

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1790401973491249234 HOFFINGER: Was your call with Trump important? COHEN: Very. “I wanted some reassurances that Mr. Trump had my back. Especially as this dealt with issues that related to him.” HOFFINGER: How did that call affect you in terms of how you acted? COHEN: When the President of the United States says don't worry, “I felt reassured because I had the President of the United States protecting me. It’s his Justice Department, this should go nowhere.” HOFFINGER: You were going to stay loyal to him? COHEN: Yes. HOFFINGER: Did others reach out to you? What did they say? COHEN: "You’re loved, don’t worry, [Trump]’s got your back, he's the “most powerful guy in the country if not the world,” “you’re going to be okay” HOFFINGER: Did you initially maintain ties to President Trump? COHEN: Only through other people; I believed that was “extremely” important to do. Since that phone call in April of 2018, Cohen has not spoken directly to Trump.