Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s final witness in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, is back on the stand Monday for a fourth day of testimony, the last appearance he is expected to make.
Cohen is the final witness for the prosecution. Before he took the stand, Justice Juan Merchan said the trial will continue into next week, telling attorneys from both sides to prepare to begin closing arguments next Tuesday, after Memorial Day.
Cohen is the only person who has testified that Trump had personal knowledge of an alleged scheme to falsify business records to cover up reimbursements for a pre-election “hush money” payment to an adult film star in 2016.
Last week, he faced seven hours of withering cross-examination depicting him as a frequent liar who is obsessed with Trump and determined to make money off the cases against him. Todd Blanche, Trump’s lead attorney, played clips for the jury of Cohen talking about Trump last year on his podcast.
“I truly f–king hope that this man ends up in prison,” Cohen was heard saying. “You better believe I want this man to go down and rot inside for what he did to my family.”
Cohen has admitted to lying under oath about the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 stemming from the deal, including bank fraud and campaign finance violations.
Prosecutors allege 34 business records were falsified to cover up that payment, and have shown the jury the invoices, vouchers and checks that correspond to each felony charge Trump faces. The former president has pleaded not guilty.
