In a significant development in the civil trial against the Trump Organization, former President Donald Trump’s ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, testified in court on Tuesday. Cohen, who once famously said he’d “take a bullet” for his client, revealed that he was instructed by Trump to inflate the former president’s assets to “whatever number Trump told us to.” This testimony sheds light on the alleged fraudulent practices within the organization.
The civil trial, which stems from a years-long investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, aims to address allegations of fraud and misrepresentation by the Trump family and their associates. James accuses Trump of misleading banks and others about the value of his assets, claiming that he “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars.” Cohen’s testimony supports these allegations and provides insight into the inner workings of the Trump Organization.
Cohen also implicated Allen Weisselberg, the former Trump Organization CFO, stating that they worked together to “reverse-engineer the various different asset classes, increase those assets, in order to achieve a number that Mr. Trump had tasked us.” Weisselberg has separately pleaded guilty to tax violations spanning over a decade in a case led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Former President Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, attended the proceedings on Tuesday. He dismissed Cohen’s testimony, calling him a “proven liar” and asserting that he is not a credible witness. Trump has consistently maintained that his financial statements had disclaimers, asking banks to evaluate the numbers themselves.
Cohen’s testimony holds significance as it provides direct evidence of potential fraud within the Trump Organization. The trial has already seen New York Judge Arthur Engoron ruling that Trump and his organization committed fraud by overvaluing assets and exaggerating net worth on paperwork used for deals and financing. Engoron also fined Trump $5,000 for violating a partial gag order and cautioned that future violations could result in imprisonment.
The trial and Cohen’s testimony have become a focal point of media coverage. FOX News contributor Joe Concha joined “FOX & Friends First” to discuss the media’s handling of both the Trump civil trial and Hunter Biden’s appearance in court over federal gun charges. The coverage of these high-profile cases has sparked debates about bias and media narratives.
It is important to note that this article provides an overview of the events surrounding the Trump Organization civil trial and Michael Cohen’s testimony. The information presented is based on court proceedings and statements from involved parties. The trial is ongoing, and further developments are expected to emerge as the proceedings continue.
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