Alvin Bragg highlights Michael Cohen case as significant amid Trump investigations
Date
3/21/2023 3:27:24 AM
(MENAFN) In a November 2020 interview with CBS News, Alvin Bragg, a former New York State deputy attorney general and Democratic candidate for Manhattan district attorney, discussed investigations involving then-President Donald Trump. Bragg highlighted the case of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and "fixer," as particularly significant. Although Bragg stressed that he could not "prejudge" any case until he saw the evidence, he pointed out the "staggering" number of cases "swirling" around Trump, with Cohen's case standing out.
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal tax evasion and campaign-finance violations in connection with a USD130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels as "hush money" to cover up an alleged affair with Trump. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison. He has since claimed that Trump directed him to make the payment and cover it up, which Trump has denied. The charging document in Cohen's case refers to an unnamed "Individual-1," an alleged co-conspirator who became president of the United States in 2017, and who is widely believed to be Trump.
Bragg, who had previously clashed with Trump's company in civil suits, indicated that he had followed media coverage of Cohen's federal case. He noted the "Individual-1" moniker in the charging document and the fact that Cohen had referred to Trump as his co-conspirator. Bragg suggested that the evidence was likely there to pursue charges against Trump, given that it had already been stated in the charging instrument. He also questioned the decision by federal prosecutors not to pursue the case against Trump.
While Bragg could not prejudge any case as a candidate for Manhattan district attorney, his comments on the Cohen case suggest that he would take a thorough and independent approach to investigations involving the former president. Bragg's experience as a former deputy attorney general and his history of taking on Trump's company in civil suits could also provide insights into how he would approach investigations of Trump and his associates. Overall, Bragg's comments highlight the ongoing legal scrutiny of Trump and the potential consequences for him and those around him.
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