Trump’s Ex‑Lawyer Michael Cohen Gets a 3‑Year Fair Share of Prison Time
In a courtroom that felt more like a drama set than a legal venue, former President Donald Trump’s once‑trusted attorney, Michael Cohen, was handed a three‑year sentence for a tangle of hush‑money deals that popped up right before the 2016 election. The case lights up a potential Pandora’s box of allegations that could shake the Trump brand.
What Went Down?
Judge William Pauley told a stunned courtroom that Cohen’s actions were driven by a kind of “blind loyalty” that turned the lawyer into a secret “hush‑money king.” Mr. Cohen had accepted payments from Stormy Daniels (US$130,000) and former Playboy star Karen McDougal (US$150,000) to keep them quiet — a move that ran afoul of campaign finance rules.
- Cohen’s 3‑year jail term (36 months) for orchestrating hush deals.
- Two months in prison for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower in Russia.
- Both sentences overlap — meaning the clock starts ticking on both at once.
- Stay at home order: Cohen has until March 6 to voluntarily surrender to the authorities.
Financial Fallout
- Judge forced Cohen to forego US$500,000.
- Restitution of nearly US$1.4 million.
A Family in the Courtroom
Cohen entered the courtroom hand in hand with his wife, two kids, and a swarm of reporters. Even though his teenagers had the opportunity to swoop in for a photo, their grief took a more subdued runway: the daughter quietly cried; the son wiped his tears with his jacket sleeve. After the sentence announcement, Cohen leaned over and kissed his daughter’s head, a moment that made the room chuckle despite the seriousness.
From Protector to Prosecuted
Back in August, Cohen had found himself in court again, this time admitting to a cocktail of crimes: tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. He also took responsibility for misleading Congress about a planned Trump Tower in Russia—a venture that never moved beyond vague rumors. His guilty plea to the Mueller investigation last month, often dubbed the “Russian‑Russia–Moscow Bridge,” added another layer of drama.
Trump’s Voice in the Aftermath
President Trump, who has been quick to open the floor to criticism of his former attorney, stated that Cohen should have known the rules. “It’s a shame the guy turned a blind eye, but maybe he’s just unlucky,” he told reporters. Meanwhile, Trump’s response to the hush‑payments—after a TV interview from the time—remains that the transactions were purely “protective” and not campaign contributions.
Attorney Lanny Davis’s Take
“Mr. Davis, who has represented Cohen, tipped us off that Cohen will cooperate fully with the FTC’s final report,” said the lawyer. He hailed his client as “the fixer” and promised more insight once the Mueller investigation’s final word is spoken.
The Last Word on Allegations
Smoke cleared only for the next chapter: while the hush money dealt might have cost the lawyer some years behind bars, the story hanging over the presidency is only getting trickier. The saga shows that no matter how close-knit a team might seem, the law can still deliver a hard knock—straight to the courthouse.
Cohen’s Final Curtain Call
In an interview with Reuters after the sentencing, the court’s judge reminded everyone that the decision “shows that the chain of errors and secrets can indeed bring real consequences.” Now, with Cohen on parole, the nation’s eyes will be urged to remain on both the previously convicted lawyer and the President whose political future is intertwined with the outcomes of the Mueller inquiry.
