Michael Cohen told a New York jury on Tuesday to remain loyal to his former client while the former president is under FBI investigation over matters involving a real estate mogul, allies of former President Trump asked. It detailed what it called a “pressure campaign.”
Prosecutors said people close to Mr. Trump had identified Mr. Cohen after his home, office and hotel were raided in 2018 as part of a federal investigation into work he did on Mr. Trump’s behalf. Jurors were shown e-mails showing he was trying to keep him in his inner circle.
Mr. Cohen also detailed a plan by another lawyer, Robert Costello, to establish a back channel to Mr. Trump through former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had just joined Mr. Trump’s legal team.
Even after Costello offered to establish a back channel between Cohen and Trump through Giuliani, the lawyer continued to pressure Cohen with “constant phone calls” and lengthy emails.
Mr Costello said Mr Cohen told his lawyer he was talking to a professional law firm instead, which made Mr Costello furious.
Cohen said: “This was part of a pressure campaign: someone is lying to you, you’re still being evaluated, the president still supports you, none of the journalists should talk, don’t say anything. Don’t listen to it.”
“Don’t tip. Don’t talk. Don’t cooperate,” he added.
Cohen said he ultimately decided it was “time to listen” to his family instead of listening to Costello and remaining loyal to President Trump.
“I’m not going to lie for President Trump anymore,” Cohen told Robert Costello from the stand, suggesting his loyalties to his wife, children and “country” have changed.
Jurors also heard details of Mr. Cohen’s eventual guilty plea.
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