Michael Cohen Surrenders As Part of Plea Deal

Michael Cohen is in custody. The long time attorney, confidante, and alleged “fixer” for President Trump, has surrendered ahead of a hearing reportedly to enter a plea deal, as reported by CNN.

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, has surrendered to the FBI ahead of a 4 p.m. court proceeding, where the government is expected to disclose a plea deal, according to a law enforcement source. Cohen reportedly is going to plead guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.

As part of the deal, Cohen is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations, tax fraud
and bank fraud, according to three sources. The deal would include jail time and a substantial monetary fine.
Among the sticking points in the talks, the two sides were negotiating over jail time, according to one source.

Cohen is pressing for three years but prosecutors are seeking 50 months.

Cohen has been concerned about asset forfeiture, leaving his family with nothing. Prosecutors made clear that there was a bigger risk should he go to trial and be found guilty that he would have to forfeit assets.

As part of the plea deal under discussion earlier Tuesday, Cohen was not expected to cooperate with the government, one source told CNN. However, by pleading guilty both Cohen and prosecutors would avoid the spectacle and uncertainty of a trial.

The charges are expected to involve activities related to tax fraud and campaign finance. All this comes as former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort awaits jury deliberations in his own trial. No doubt there will be much more to come on this story as it develops.