Michael Cohen Admits on the Stand He Stole from the Trump Organization

AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File

Michael Cohen, the former lawyer and fixer for former President Donald Trump, testified on Monday during cross examination that he stole from the Trump Organization.

The bombshell admission by Cohen during Trump’s hush money trial came as he was being questioned by Trump attorney Todd Blanche, who asked Cohen about how he reached the $420,000 amount he was paid in 2017. Blanche asked if Cohen was “shorted” on his annual bonus, and Cohen confirmed that:

“You were shorted on 100,000 on your bonus that year,” Blanche asked.

“That’s correct,” Cohen said, confirming he normally got $150,000 as an annual bonus around the holidays.

“So the $50,000 that you got back from Red Finch… you only paid the Red Finch owner $20,000, right?” Blanche asked. “Yes sir,” Cohen said.

Blanche is now walking Cohen through how he paid the $20,000 to the Red Finch owner in cash. Cohen confirmed he withdrew the money over a couple days. “I just didn’t want to take out $20,000” at once, Cohen said.

“I don’t recall if it was exactly $20,000,” Cohen added to clarify.

Cohen said that Red Finch wanted the full payment of $50,000, but they accepted the money they received.

“So, you stole from the Trump organization,” Blanche asked, noting Cohen was reimbursed $100,000.

“Yes sir,” Cohen, said in response to Blanche.

“You didn’t just steal the 30,000, Because it was grossed up, it was 60,000,” Blanche asked.

“Yes, sir,” Cohen said.

Cohen agreed that he has told multiple prosecutors with the district attorney’s office about it.

“Did you ever have to plead guilty to larceny,” Blanche asked.

“No, sir,” Cohen said.

Monday was Cohen’s third day on the witness stand and his second day of being cross-examined. The New York Times reported that Trump shook his head during this part of the testimony.