Cohen told lawmakers Trump attorney Jay Sekulow instructed him to falsely claim Moscow project ended

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post



Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former longtime personal attorney, told a House panel during closed-door hearings earlier this year that he had been instructed by Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow to falsely claim in a 2017 statement to Congress that negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow ended in January 2016, according to people familiar with his testimony.

In fact, Cohen later admitted that discussions on the Moscow tower continued into June of the presidential election year, after it was clear Trump would be the GOP nominee. Cohen is serving three years in prison for lying to Congress, financial crimes and campaign finance violations.

House Democrats are now scrutinizing whether Sekulow or other Trump attorneys played a role in shaping Cohen’s 2017 testimony to Congress. Cohen has said he made the false statement to help hide the fact that Trump had potentially hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in a possible Russian project while he was running for president. “We’re trying to find out whether anyone participated in the false testimony that Cohen gave to this committee,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) said in an interview. He did not comment on who, if anyone, might have instructed Cohen to lie.

Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, attorneys for Sekulow, said in a statement that “Cohen’s alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohen’s ‘instinct to blame others is strong.’”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cohen-told-lawmakers-trump-attorney-jay-sekulow-instructed-him-to-falsely-claim-moscow-project-ended-in-january-2016/2019/05/20/e98c6a5e-7b0f-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html

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Full headline: Cohen told lawmakers Trump attorney Jay Sekulow instructed him to falsely claim Moscow project ended in January 2016

[BeyondGeography]

1. What are we waiting for on obstruction again?

[gldstwmn]

2. He should be disbarred at the very least.

This whole thing is a three ring circus.

[BootinUp]

3. Sekulow should be disbarred!

I’ve had enough of this shit.

[jmowreader]

8. Disbarred isn't enough

I want him imprisoned. For life! This fucker is the epitome of evil, and he's got connections.

[dawnie51]

4. Where is the ABA on this crap?

Sekulow, Barr, etc. All stand to be disbarred over their actions in this circus. Suborning perjury, obstruction, refusing lawful subpoenas. Is there anyone in the legal profession who has a scintilla of honor?

[corbettkroehler]

5. Great Point - To My Knowledge, We Haven't Heard Scratch (n/t)

[riversedge]

6. complaints have to be filed. I have not heard of any filed.

[JI7]

7. Putin has no intention of ever letting that crap be built there

but I'm sure he has convinced Trump he will. when they have the private conversations he tells him how great it will be. the same with north Korea.

[Progressive Jones]

9. I hope it's proven, and I hope Sekulow gets hit hard. That prick has to go. nt

[Kid Berwyn]

10. Secretly Dealing with America's Chief Enemy

Accepting, getting and using their help to win election raises the bar on treason.

[duforsure]

11. Just another trump criminal lawyer

Who'll get disbarred, then be sent to prison. Just like the AG's who'll end up serving time because of trump.

[DeminPennswoods]

12. Abbe Lowell, too

In the released transcripts, Cohen also points to Abbe Lowell asking him to lie about Ivanka's involvement.

Now, Sekulow is more a TV lawyer than anything, but Lowell is a real lawyer who has had his fair share of famous clients, including being the minority counsel during the Clinton impeachment. Lowell has a lot to lose and little to gain. If he is disbarred, his legal career is over and he would likely lose his teaching position at Georgetown.