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Prosecutors Preparing To Charge Michael Cohen By The End Of August

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Federal prosecutors might charge President Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen with bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations by the end of August.

Cohen has been under investigation by the Southern District of New York for allegedly paying $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels on behalf of Trump, according to CNN. Investigators are also looking into $20 million in loans Cohen might have received illegally.

“Criminal charges against Cohen would be a major setback to President Donald Trump because Cohen has long been in his inner circle,” the CNN article reads. “Cohen has prided himself over the years on his reputation as Trump’s pit bull and once said he ‘would take a bullet’ for Trump. But Trump’s longtime consigliere has since broken allegiance with his former boss Cohen has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the investigation.”

If Cohen were to cut a deal to avoid punishment, he would likely be expected to cooperate with Robert Mueller’s Russia probe and offer any relevant information to prosecutors, CNN reported.

Cohen was the subject of controversy in April, after the FBI raided his office and hotel room, looking for documents related to Trump. This sparked a debate about the sanctity of attorney-client privilege and legal confidentiality in the age of Mueller.

CNN claims “a person familiar with the matter” told them prosecutors are considering the timing of the midterm elections and will look to make a move on Cohen in September, or wait until after November.

Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis, refused to comment when he was contacted by CNN.

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