Washington [USA], May 14: Politico reported on May 14 that former US President Donald Trump seemed not to be worried or concerned when his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, provided testimony in court about the accusation that Mr. Trump paid hush money to act. adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Last week, when Ms. Daniels testified in court, Mr. Trump reacted so angrily that the judge had to intervene.
During the trial on May 13, Mr. Trump moved slightly in his chair and rolled his eyes as Mr. Cohen prepared to provide testimony. After that, for many hours, Mr. Trump mostly closed his eyes and almost did not react to the unfavorable testimony. Sometimes he only moves when scratching an itch, whispering or passing notes to a lawyer, reading documents or glancing at the computer screen in front of him, and then continues to close his eyes.
For his part, Mr. Cohen testified that Mr. Trump, when he was a presidential candidate, directed him to pay to silence Ms. Daniels about a date between the two people.
The prosecution accused Mr. Trump of falsifying business records to repay Mr. Cohen $130,000 that the former lawyer transferred to Ms. Daniels before the 2016 US Presidential election.
"I spoke with Mr. Trump and we expressed to him that I would pay for it upfront, which he appreciated. He told me not to worry because I would get the money back." , Mr. Cohen told the court.
"I did everything I could and more to protect my boss, which is something I've done for a long time," according to Mr. Cohen. The former lawyer was sentenced to 13 months in prison and 18 months of house arrest after admitting in 2018 to defrauding Congress and committing financial crimes.
After questioning by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, Mr. Cohen admitted that he had deceived and bullied others while he was Mr. Trump's lawyer. "That's what was needed to complete the mission," Mr. Cohen testified.
The trial is expected to continue on May 14 (local time) and Mr. Cohen will continue to provide testimony. Former President Trump always denied all accusations in this criminal case.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper