Michael Cohen confesses to embezzling from Trump Organization while recovering Stormy Daniels’ hush money

Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted to “stealing” tens of thousands of dollars from the Trump Organization as part of his reimbursement plan with Donald Trump to recoup $130,000 for paying off Stormy Daniels in 2016. Under cross-examination from Trump’s defense attorney, Cohen testified that he pocketed $60,000 by overstating the amount he paid a tech company to rig online polls in Trump’s favor.

Cohen described the extra money as “self-help,” indicating his attempt to extract more money from Trump after feeling slighted by a smaller annual bonus. The reimbursements for the hush money payment totaled $420,000, with additional billing to the Trump Organization for a tech firm.

Cohen admitted to stealing from the Trump Organization and acknowledged not repaying the money. He detailed how Red Finch was hired to manipulate poll numbers to boost Trump’s ranking among famous businessmen. The agreement to reimburse Cohen for the hush money payment was drawn up with Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg.

Cohen expressed anger over a reduced Christmas bonus in 2016 after paying off Daniels with his own funds. He testified that he felt betrayed by Trump and sought to recoup the money through the reimbursement plan.

Trump faces charges of falsifying business records related to payments to Cohen in 2017. Cohen maintains that the payments were not for legal work performed that year. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.