Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen has sensationally claimed that he worked with ‘a candidate for federal office’ to make a payment to a porn star who says she slept with him. Speaking at a plea deal hearing in Manhattan Tuesday, Michael Cohen said he paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 ‘in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office’. AP and CNN said that was a reference to Trump, with Cohen claiming that payment and another were made in a bid to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump has repeatedly denied knowledge of the payments at the time they were made. Cohen, who admitted eight crimes, pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud in relation to paying Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, and Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal, who also claims to have had an affair with Trump.
He also admitted working with the ‘candidate for federal office’ – who he did not name directly – to arrange a $150,000 payment with the CEO of American Media, the publisher of the National Enquirer, given to McDougal for her story. The pro-Trump tabloid never ran McDougal’s claims, sparking claims it had been hushed up by someone connected to the Trump campaign. Cohen’s claims in Manhattan Federal Courthouse could corroborate those allegations, if they are proven to be correct. Daniels was paid $130,000 11 days before the 2016 presidential election. Cohen said in February that the payment was made to Daniels with his own money, and without the knowledge of the president.