Prime Only Members-Only Article
Editor's Brief

What Are Michael’s Crimes?

TPM Illustration. Photo by Getty Images/ Drew Angerer
|
December 12, 2018 1:44 p.m.
THE BACKCHANNEL
FREE EDITION
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
NEW!
A FREE email newsletter from Josh Marshall An email newsletter from Josh Marshall

Now we know that Michael Cohen has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison. What became very clear, however, is that a lot of that sentence was based on Cohen not becoming a cooperating witness in the Southern District of New York. Very specifically, Cohen pleaded guilty and seemingly cooperated over a number of crimes they’d caught him doing. But to become a cooperating witness (in the technical meaning and with the sentencing benefits) he needed to come in and tell his whole history, every crime he ever committed, every crime he knew information about. He was not willing to do that. Why?

This is a members-only article
Small Team. Big Results.
We’re proud of what our small newsroom has accomplished and it’s not hyperbole when we say that without our members, none of this would be possible.
Free memberships available for students and those experiencing financial hardship.
Already a member? SIGN IN
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: