VegasAg86 said:
My undergrad degree is finance, so I border on knowing just enough accounting to be dangerous.
How does GAAP say to classify payments for an NDA? I have a hard time seeing how classifying them as a legal expense amounts to fraud.
Quote:
Here are they key takeaways from the first day of Michael Cohen's testimony in Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial.
Cohen ties Trump to the Daniels hush money payment: Through roughly five hours of testimony Monday, Cohen walked jurors through how he worked with former National Enquirer editor David Pecker on Trump's behalf during the 2016 campaign to kill negative stories; how he kept Trump apprised of his hush money negotiations with Keith Davidson, the attorney for Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal; and how Trump approved and was aware of how Cohen would be falsely repaid in 2017 for the Daniels payment as legal services. Cohen is the link connecting other witnesses we have heard from so far.
Cohen ties the hush money reimbursement to Trump, too: Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records 11 invoices, 12 vouchers and 11 checks records that prosecutors say stem from the monthly reimbursements Cohen received in 2017 for the hush money payment he made to Daniels. On Monday, jurors heard through Cohen for the first-time evidence directly connecting Trump to those reimbursements.
Cohen describes being Trump's protector: Cohen, who used to say he'd take a bullet for Trump in the height of their relationship, testified Monday about everything he did to protect his former boss. As Cohen described each media story he killed and nondisclosure agreement he locked down ahead of the 2016 election, it was always in the name of protecting Trump.
Quote:
House Speaker Mike Johnson, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Rep. Cory Mills and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will join former President Donald Trump in court today, according to a Trump campaign official.
Trump's allies have been flocking to the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial, and some of the politicians making the trip, including Burgum and JD Vance yesterday, are said to be under consideration to be Trump's running mate.
That's a long history for Cohen's past statements.Quote:
Michael Cohen knows his cross-examination by Donald Trump's legal team is not going to be friendly because that's going to be the former president's defense, CNN Chief Legal Correspondent Paula Reid said Monday.
"This is how they're going to make their case on behalf of their client. They are going to try to paint Michael Cohen as a liar who is out for revenge against his former boss," Reid explained.
The defense will try to discredit Cohen through a multimedia presentation that includes the following, according to Reid:But while Trump attorney Todd Blanche will want to go after Cohen, he must tread carefully, Reid added.
- Clips from Cohen's podcast
- Excerpts from his book
- His many interviews over the past six years where he has attacked Trump
Quote:
"You don't want to go at him hard that you throw sympathy to Michael Cohen. So this is a huge test," she said. "This will be the defense's case, which is why you haven't seen Todd Blanche do many cross-examinations. He has been most exclusively focused on Michael Cohen.
Gyles Marrett said:
Question:
In closing arguments is the defense allowed to make the case about all the bias surrounding this prosecution. DA Bragg running on getting Trump, the Feds already looking at this case and choosing not to prosecute, the judges daughter and witnesses trying to profit off getting Trump, etc.
or even if allowed is the case so weak by the prosecution they should just let it speak for itself and hope this NY jury is not just as absurdly biased as the prosecution in this case.
aggiehawg said:That's a long history for Cohen's past statements.Quote:
Michael Cohen knows his cross-examination by Donald Trump's legal team is not going to be friendly because that's going to be the former president's defense, CNN Chief Legal Correspondent Paula Reid said Monday.
"This is how they're going to make their case on behalf of their client. They are going to try to paint Michael Cohen as a liar who is out for revenge against his former boss," Reid explained.
The defense will try to discredit Cohen through a multimedia presentation that includes the following, according to Reid:But while Trump attorney Todd Blanche will want to go after Cohen, he must tread carefully, Reid added.
- Clips from Cohen's podcast
- Excerpts from his book
- His many interviews over the past six years where he has attacked Trump
Quote:
"You don't want to go at him hard that you throw sympathy to Michael Cohen. So this is a huge test," she said. "This will be the defense's case, which is why you haven't seen Todd Blanche do many cross-examinations. He has been most exclusively focused on Michael Cohen.
I'm not sure how anyone could render Cohen as a sympathetic figure.
Counsel is allowed to discuss evidence adduced at trial seen by the jury and base their arguments and inferences on that. Anything happening outside of what occurred in front of the jury is beyond the scope.Gyles Marrett said:
Question:
In closing arguments is the defense allowed to make the case about all the bias surrounding this prosecution. DA Bragg running on getting Trump, the Feds already looking at this case and choosing not to prosecute, the judges daughter and witnesses trying to profit off getting Trump, etc.
or even if allowed is the case so weak by the prosecution they should just let it speak for itself and hope this NY jury is not just as absurdly biased as the prosecution in this case.
I think Trump wants to win obviously but what resonates better to independents and certain demographics, like the Black community (who know a lot about unjust prosecutions):Reality Check said:
It's beyond ridiculous to think Trump 100 percent wants any outcome here OTHER than being acquitted so he can dance all over the graves of Fat Alvin & Co.
nortex97 said:BMX Bandit said:Quote:
It's questionable, however, whether Trump actually wants to win the case, or take the boost in swing states a conviction will likely give him:
very fake news
Trump wants to actually win this case, its not even up for legitimate debate.
your comments on cohen are regarding the weight of the evidence and who to believe. the question aggiehawg and I were responding to dealt with the procedural rule related to a directed verdict or whatever its called in new york
Turkey disagrees:
"You would think that Alvin Bragg would have more important things to worry about than political prosecutions.
Mr. Turley concludes:
Absent a sudden epiphany in his final testimony on Tuesday, Merchan should rule in favor of a directed verdict that is, throwing the case out before it goes to a jury. If he instead sends this farcical case to the jury, it is Merchan, not Cohen, who may have a better claim to a reality show as the ultimate "Fix It Man.""
From red state quote.
At this point after what we've seen so far, if somehow there is a conviction that is subsequently overturned on appeal (after the election, of course), is there any scenario where Merchan would be sanctioned for allowing a blatantly political trial virtually devoid of any prior precedent and the backing of law?AgLiving06 said:aggiehawg said:That's a long history for Cohen's past statements.Quote:
Michael Cohen knows his cross-examination by Donald Trump's legal team is not going to be friendly because that's going to be the former president's defense, CNN Chief Legal Correspondent Paula Reid said Monday.
"This is how they're going to make their case on behalf of their client. They are going to try to paint Michael Cohen as a liar who is out for revenge against his former boss," Reid explained.
The defense will try to discredit Cohen through a multimedia presentation that includes the following, according to Reid:But while Trump attorney Todd Blanche will want to go after Cohen, he must tread carefully, Reid added.
- Clips from Cohen's podcast
- Excerpts from his book
- His many interviews over the past six years where he has attacked Trump
Quote:
"You don't want to go at him hard that you throw sympathy to Michael Cohen. So this is a huge test," she said. "This will be the defense's case, which is why you haven't seen Todd Blanche do many cross-examinations. He has been most exclusively focused on Michael Cohen.
I'm not sure how anyone could render Cohen as a sympathetic figure.
It's what makes this trial so unbelievable.
Bragg is going after a former President of the United States with:
1. A novel interpretation (that nobody understands)
2 With a porn star and convicted liar as their key witnesses.
I'm not saying a President should be above a law, but its hard to see this as anything other than a political prosecution.
LINKQuote:
Trump's defense team has suggested "legal expenses" was the appropriate way to document the payment to Cohen, who in January 2017 was no longer on the Trump Organization's payroll but rather worked for Trump as an outside vendor with the title "personal counsel."
Hoffinger asked Cohen if he expected Trump to pay him for any work in 2017, and Cohen said no.
"Because I knew there was going to be no compensation," Cohen said, explaining that he and Trump agreed his only payments as Trump's personal counsel beginning in 2017 would come from outside work Cohen performed for third parties.
Cohen also spoke about former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, who is serving a jail sentence for perjury. Several witnesses, including Cohen, have said Weisselberg was the mastermind behind the payment plan for Cohen.
Wait...nortex97 said:
And the prosecution doesn't have to prove the underlying crime. Which they won't even state. And the witnesses have been all over social media trying to profit from their role in the controversy. And the judges daughters biggest customers are Adam Schiff and jon Tester. And the judge donated to Bidens campaign personally. and the trial takes off Wednesday's instead of fridays to make sure no jews on the jury. and the pprn star changed her story completely since her bill maher 2018 show.
If complaints are filed with the state agency for judicial conduct, there will be an investigation. There is one happening now for Judge Engeron from the civil fraud trial.Quote:
At this point after what we've seen so far, if somehow there is a conviction that is subsequently overturned on appeal (after the election, of course), is there any scenario where Merchan would be sanctioned for allowing a blatantly political trial virtually devoid of any prior precedent and the backing of law?
Quote:
Judge Juan Merchan is on the bench, and court is in session.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass has asked to approach the bench.
Merchan doesn't like orthodox Jews on any of his juries. /joking.Im Gipper said:
Seriously, I know that.
Merch having Wednesday as his off day has nothing to do with keeping orthodox Jews off of the Trump jury.
Quote:
Prosecution is now continuing its questioning of Michael Cohen.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is picking back up with Cohen's meeting with Trump and Allen Weisselberg and the planned reimbursement.
Quote:
Prosecutors say that Michael Cohen on February 2017 met with Donald Trump in the Oval Office to confirm how he would be reimbursed for the hush money payment Cohen fronted for Trump to Stormy Daniels.
A month earlier Cohen mapped out the repayment plan with then-Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, who memorialized the calculations in handwritten notes on Cohen's bank statement, according to court documents.
Under the plan, Cohen would send a series of false invoices requesting payment for legal services he performed pursuant to a retainer agreement and receive monthly checks for $35,000 for a total of $420,000 to cover the payment to Daniels, his taxes and a bonus, prosecutors alleged.
Prosecutors also allege there was never a retainer agreement.
German orthodox Jews are the wurst. Amirite?aggiehawg said:Merchan doesn't like orthodox Jews on any of his juries. /joking.Im Gipper said:
Seriously, I know that.
Merch having Wednesday as his off day has nothing to do with keeping orthodox Jews off of the Trump jury.
This jury pool already stole $83MM of Trump's money on zero evidence. Why not?Maroon Dawn said:aggiehawg said:Only impact is that Cohen testified in such a manner that he was following Trump's directions, that makes his credibility a fact question to alow Judge Merchan to deny defense counsel's motion for a directed verdict at the close of the prosecution's case in chief. A low bar for success by the state but that's what they needed most. Get the case to the jury.whatthehey78 said:
Sorry...but have to ask the legal experts again. Was today's testimony good, bad or no impact on DJT defense? Do appreciate honest/informative responses. TIA!!!
That was my thought as well
They know they have no case and are banking on getting this to be decided by a group of hardcore TDS consumed Biden voters who don't care that there is no case and just want to convict
Let's come back to that a moment. Attorney billings can be per task, hourly, future work. Taks based billing occur at the end, hourly is work already performed and future work is commonly called a retainer but does not have to be specific nor in writing, just an agreement the lawyer will be representing the client in the future on matters that may arise.Quote:
Under the plan, Cohen would send a series of false invoices requesting payment for legal services he performed pursuant to a retainer agreement and receive monthly checks for $35,000 for a total of $420,000 to cover the payment to Daniels, his taxes and a bonus, prosecutors alleged.
Prosecutors also allege there was never a retainer agreement.
Quote:
Michael Cohen says he put the White House meeting in his calendar something he did not normally do. He says it was to "commemorate seeing President Trump in the White House."
"Meeting with POTUS," the electronic calendar entry reads.
Quote:
The jury is now seeing emails between Jeffrey McConney, a former Trump Organization controller, and Michael Cohen
In one of them dated February 14, 2017, Cohen asks McConney to remind him the monthly amount he is supposed to invoice.
McConney responds to remind Cohen it was $35,000 per month, the emails show.
That's on Cohen again.Quote:
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger confirmed with Michael Cohen that had there been a retainer agreement it would be accompanied by an agreed upon monthly amount.
But there was no retainer agreement, Hoffinger said.
Cohen said there wasn't one.
Cohen's tone and manner so far is the same as Monday. He is careful, measured and even toned.
Quote:
Michael Cohen emailed an invoice to former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney on February 14, 2017, including two $35,000 payments for January and February.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks if the invoices he sent were consistent with directions given by Allen Weisselberg.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen says.
Quote:
Michael Cohen confirmed the invoices were actually reimbursement for the hush money payment and not for legal services.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is asking whether the description in the invoice for legal services rendered was true.
"No ma'am," Cohen says.
Hoffinger again asks Cohen what the payments were actually for.
He says, "Reimbursement to me of the hush money fee along with red finch and the bonus"
"Was this invoice a false record?" Hoffinger asks.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen says.
Hoffinger goes on to ask, "Were any of those invoices that you submitted based on services performed for the months indicated pursuant to a retainer agreement?"
"No ma'am they were for a reimbursement," Cohen says.
Pardon me while I pick my jaw up off of the floor. That's a lot of fraud on Cohen's part that he is admitting to committing.Quote:
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks Michael Cohen if he received 11 checks in responses to those 11 invoices for a total of $420,000.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen says.
That was a recap.Im Gipper said:
Has the testimony started?
That second quoted material looks like a summary of the state's Theory, not testimony.
It's hard to get German Orthodox Jews to concentrate and they are especially prone to gaslighting.Ag with kids said:German orthodox Jews are the wurst. Amirite?aggiehawg said:Merchan doesn't like orthodox Jews on any of his juries. /joking.Im Gipper said:
Seriously, I know that.
Merch having Wednesday as his off day has nothing to do with keeping orthodox Jews off of the Trump jury.
I'm assuming there must be some sort of plea/immunity deal worked out with the DA then. Is that subject to subpoena by the defense?aggiehawg said:Quote:
Michael Cohen says he put the White House meeting in his calendar something he did not normally do. He says it was to "commemorate seeing President Trump in the White House."
"Meeting with POTUS," the electronic calendar entry reads.Quote:
The jury is now seeing emails between Jeffrey McConney, a former Trump Organization controller, and Michael Cohen
In one of them dated February 14, 2017, Cohen asks McConney to remind him the monthly amount he is supposed to invoice.
McConney responds to remind Cohen it was $35,000 per month, the emails show.That's on Cohen again.Quote:
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger confirmed with Michael Cohen that had there been a retainer agreement it would be accompanied by an agreed upon monthly amount.
But there was no retainer agreement, Hoffinger said.
Cohen said there wasn't one.
Cohen's tone and manner so far is the same as Monday. He is careful, measured and even toned.Quote:
Michael Cohen emailed an invoice to former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney on February 14, 2017, including two $35,000 payments for January and February.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks if the invoices he sent were consistent with directions given by Allen Weisselberg.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen says.Quote:
Michael Cohen confirmed the invoices were actually reimbursement for the hush money payment and not for legal services.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is asking whether the description in the invoice for legal services rendered was true.
"No ma'am," Cohen says.
Hoffinger again asks Cohen what the payments were actually for.
He says, "Reimbursement to me of the hush money fee along with red finch and the bonus"
"Was this invoice a false record?" Hoffinger asks.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen says.
Hoffinger goes on to ask, "Were any of those invoices that you submitted based on services performed for the months indicated pursuant to a retainer agreement?"
"No ma'am they were for a reimbursement," Cohen says.Pardon me while I pick my jaw up off of the floor. That's a lot of fraud on Cohen's part that he is admitting to committing.Quote:
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks Michael Cohen if he received 11 checks in responses to those 11 invoices for a total of $420,000.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen says.
Wait wait wait. $50,000 was for IT Services to Red Finch, the balance of his bonus for 2016 (amount not specified) and some amounts for taxes. That was the story before but now it is all reimbursements?Quote:
The prosecutor is now going through the invoice, the check stub and check for March.
The check stub states it is a payment for a retainer agreement.
"Was this in fact a retainer for that month," Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks.
"No ma'am," says Cohen.
"Was the description in the check stub a false statement," she asks. Cohen confirms it was.
Remember: Trump was charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office last year with 34 counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from the reimbursements made to Cohen for hush money payments he made before the 2016 election to an adult film star alleging an affair with Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair.
