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Michael Cohen

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Michael Cohen
NameMichael Cohen
Birth date25 August 1966
Birth placeLawrence, New York, U.S.
EducationAmerican University (BA), Thomas M. Cooley Law School (JD)
OccupationLawyer, businessperson
Known forFormer attorney for Donald Trump
SpouseLaura Shusterman, 1994

Michael Cohen is an American former attorney who served as a vice president at the Trump Organization and personal counsel to former U.S. President Donald Trump. He first gained prominence as a key figure in various investigations related to Trump, including the hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen's legal career unraveled after he pleaded guilty to multiple federal crimes, leading to a prison sentence and subsequent disbarment.

Early life and education

Michael Cohen was born in Lawrence, New York, and grew up in the Five Towns area on Long Island. His family was involved in the medical profession; his mother was a nurse and his father, a Holocaust survivor, worked as a surgeon. He attended Woodmere Academy before enrolling at American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently pursued a law degree, graduating from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, which is now known as the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

After passing the New York bar exam, Cohen began his legal practice, initially focusing on personal injury law and later expanding into various business ventures. He worked at a firm in Manhattan and also engaged in private practice, representing clients in areas such as taxi medallion ownership, a sector in which he and his family held significant investments. His business interests eventually led him to a position on the board of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, a nonprofit organization.

Role in Trump Organization and political involvement

Cohen joined the Trump Organization in 2006 after impressing Donald Trump with his assertive approach. He served as an executive vice president and special counsel, acting as a fierce advocate and "fixer" for Trump during his business career and early political endeavors. Cohen played an instrumental role in Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, frequently appearing on media outlets like CNN and Fox News to defend the candidate. He was also a deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee during this period.

Cohen came under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, an office within the United States Department of Justice. In August 2018, he pleaded guilty to eight counts, including campaign finance violations related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, tax evasion, and bank fraud. He testified that these payments were made at the direction of Donald Trump to influence the 2016 election. In a separate matter, he also pleaded guilty to lying to the Congress about the timeline of the Trump Tower Moscow project during the Mueller investigation. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Post-conviction activities and public statements

After his release to home confinement in 2020, Cohen became a vocal critic of Donald Trump. He published a memoir, *Disloyal: A Memoir*, and began hosting a political podcast. He has provided extensive testimony before various governmental bodies, including the Manhattan District Attorney's office and the New York Attorney General's office, in their investigations into the Trump Organization. His cooperation has been a significant element in the subsequent criminal case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney against the former president.

Personal life

Cohen married Laura Shusterman in 1994, and the couple has two children. They have resided in New York City and also owned properties in Florida. His personal and financial dealings, including his taxi medallion investments, were extensively scrutinized during the federal investigations. Following his legal troubles, he was disbarred by the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division and has spoken publicly about the personal and professional repercussions of his association with Donald Trump.

Category:American lawyers Category:1966 births Category:People from Lawrence, New York