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Cohen: Trump Directed Hush Payments, Was ‘Very Concerned’ About Impact On Election

12.14.18 | 6:40 am

Michael Cohen on ABC News Dec. 14, 2018.

President Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen admitted in an exclusive interview with ABC News released Friday morning that Trump not only directed him to make the hush payments to keep two women quiet about alleged affairs, but he did it to help his presidential election.

“He knew it was wrong?” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos said in a excerpt of the interview released Friday.

“Of course,” Cohen said, just two days after he was sentenced to serve three years in prison for several federal crimes, including lying to Congress about some of the work he did for Trump.

Asked if Trump directed him to make the payments to help his election, Cohen said “yes.”

“You have to remember at what point in time that this matter came about, two weeks or so before the election, post the Billy Bush comments. So yes, he was very concerned about how this would affect the election,” he said. “I gave loyalty to someone who truthfully does not deserve loyalty.”

Watch the new clip below:

Cohen: Trump was "very concerned" about the impact the alleged affairs would have on his election if allegations surfaced pic.twitter.com/sR0JaSRmO3

— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 14, 2018

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Nicole LaFond is TPM’s deputy editor for news, based in New York. She has also worked as the special projects editor and as a senior newswriter for TPM. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and previously covered education in central Illinois.

Looks like I was wrong on Cohen. I never thought he’d cooperate 100%. I thought he’d give as little as possible to appear to be cooperating without really hurting Trump. It’s possible that his info initiated the inauguration investigation. Guess looking at 65 years total for the eight counts he pleaded to and walking away with only three years indicates he must’ve cooperated significantly. He and his lawyers asked for Cohen to be sent to Otisville.

I’m guessing he’ll go there. Most likely at the satellite minimum security camp for low risk and white collar criminals.
Added: From the NYP:

And why wouldn’t they want to go?

The prison’s store doubles as a delicatessen, serving up such favorites as rib steak, gefilte fish, kugel, salmon, chorizo and smoked oysters.

It’s only a 90-minute drive for visitors from the city, and it has boccie courts, horseshoe pits and enough room to play soccer.

Altman, who has spent time in six prisons since his 1989 conviction for running an interstate prostitution ring, says convicts could stay up until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights watching HBO, Showtime and Cinemax.

The low-security camp that’s connected with Otisville’s 1,200-inmate medium-security complex is exclusive too, housing only about 125 felons, two to a cell.

That cell at the minimum security unit is more like a dorm room at a college.

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j.dave says:

December 14, 2018

Is today Schadenfriday?
zillacop says:

December 14, 2018

Oh Donnie, looks like your former fixer is really going to help fix it for you now.
grack says:

December 14, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8chWFuM-s
bonvivant says:

December 14, 2018

Looks like I was wrong on Cohen. I never thought he’d cooperate 100%. I thought he’d give as little as possible to appear to be cooperating without really hurting Trump. It’s possible that his info initiated the inauguration investigation. Guess looking at 65 years total for the eight counts he pleaded to and walking away with only three years indicates he must’ve cooperated significantly. He and his lawyers asked for Cohen to be sent to Otisville.
CNN – 12 Dec 18

What it’s like at the prison in Otisville where Michael Cohen may go | CNN

In federal court Wednesday, US District Judge William Pauley agreed to recommend that Michael Cohen serve his 36-month prison sentence at FCI Otisville, about 70 miles northwest of New York City.

I’m guessing he’ll go there. Most likely at the satellite minimum security camp for low risk and white collar criminals.
Added: From the NYP:

And why wouldn’t they want to go?

The prison’s store doubles as a delicatessen, serving up such favorites as rib steak, gefilte fish, kugel, salmon, chorizo and smoked oysters.

It’s only a 90-minute drive for visitors from the city, and it has boccie courts, horseshoe pits and enough room to play soccer.

Altman, who has spent time in six prisons since his 1989 conviction for running an interstate prostitution ring, says convicts could stay up until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights watching HBO, Showtime and Cinemax.

The low-security camp that’s connected with Otisville’s 1,200-inmate medium-security complex is exclusive too, housing only about 125 felons, two to a cell.

That cell at the minimum security unit is more like a dorm room at a college.
rickjones says:

December 14, 2018

As of 7:45 am EST, Trump has not tweeted about the interview.

I guess Fox and Friends didn’t talk about it.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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