Michael Cohen Testifies Against Ex-Boss Donald Trump in Civil Trial
On Wednesday, Michael Cohen, former attorney for Donald Trump, will be back on the witness stand testifying against his ex-boss in a civil trial over claims that Trump chronically exaggerated the value of his real estate holdings on financial documents.
Cohen was convicted in December of 2018 and sentenced to three years in prison. Some of the crimes he committed on Trump’s behalf while working for him included making false statements to banks and Congress about the Trump organization’s involvement in a real estate project in Moscow, and he also paid hush money to two women who said they’d had affairs with Trump in the past.
The civil lawsuit is a result of the claims from investors in one of Trump’s real estate projects. According to the investors, Trump inflated the value of the project from $50 million to $100 million, which led to them investing millions of dollars more than they should have.
Although Cohen’s testimony on Wednesday is expected to be limited to the financial issues surrounding the project, he is likely to be asked about Trump’s business dealings and his relationship with the investors.
In his previous testimony, Cohen provided detailed information on the business practices of the Trump Organization and its former CEO. He also spoke about the conversations he had with Trump about the real estate project in Moscow and how Trump misled investors, bankers, and his own family about the value of the project.
This upcoming trial could be the latest—and potentially most important—instance of Trump being held accountable for his business dealings. For the investors involved, the stakes are high. They could be entitled to monetary damages for their losses if they are able to prove that Trump deliberately misled them.
Cohen’s testimony could be essential for the investors to receive the compensation they are seeking. He will be the only witness to testify on Wednesday, and is expected to provide a wealth of information on Trump’s business practices.
While the trial could potentially result in serious financial penalties for Trump, it is also likely to draw attention to allegations of fraud and misrepresentation that could lead to criminal charges. Whatever happens, the trial and Cohen’s testimony will be closely watched and could potentially put an end to Trump’s decades-long reign in the world of real estate.
