Donald Trump’s former personal attorney is set to appear in court today after reportedly reaching a plea deal over felony charges. He reportedly surrendered to the FBI earlier today.
CNN reports he will plead guilty to several charges including multiple campaign finance violations, tax fraud and bank fraud and that his deal includes jail time (up to three years) and a substantial fine.
Moments ago: Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen seen entering FBI New York office as NBC News reports that he's reached a plea deal. https://t.co/KbtozqtTkU pic.twitter.com/7o3uU4PirA
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) August 21, 2018
The New York Times reports at least part of the plea deal is related to payments Cohen made on behalf of Trump:
“Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former lawyer, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors investigating payments he made to women for Mr. Trump, a person familiar with the matter said.
Prosecutors in New York had been scrutinizing Mr. Cohen for bank and tax fraud, as well as for his role in helping to arrange financial deals to secure the silence of women who said they had affairs with Mr. Trump.”
Stormy Daniels attorney, Michael Avenatti is reacting to this news, crediting his client with getting the ball rolling on this case.
We should all take a moment and applaud the tremendous courage and fortitude of @StormyDaniels, who has refused to be silent, who has refused to back down, and who has allowed facts to be presented in the court of public opinion, which some may argue is the most efficient.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018
Avenatti also told MSNBC “the likelihood of him (Cohen) providing information damaging about the president is 100%.”
WATCH: Stormy Daniels’ attorney,@MichaelAvenatti, reacts to Michael Cohen's reported plea deal: “I’m not surprised by the news. The only thing that I'm surprised about is that it took this long.” pic.twitter.com/OxkIhcOdhi
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 21, 2018