Representatives Elise Stefanik of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio have voiced strong demands for Attorney General Merrick Garland to initiate an investigation into Michael Cohen for allegations of perjury. Cohen, who formerly served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney and confidant, is poised to testify against Trump in his ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan.
The charges against Trump stem from accusations of falsifying business records regarding a $130,000 payment to Cohen, purportedly to reimburse him for facilitating a nondisclosure agreement with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump vehemently denies these allegations, including any suggestion of a past encounter with Daniels in 2006.
Cohen previously pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges of campaign finance violations and tax evasion related to the aforementioned payment, resulting in a prison sentence and disbarment. During a cross-examination last October, Cohen admitted to lying under oath before the House Intelligence Committee in 2019, particularly concerning Trump’s personal financial matters.
In his testimony, Cohen portrayed Trump as operating akin to a “mob boss,” asserting that while Trump didn’t explicitly order him to manipulate financial documents for Trump Organization assets, his directives were implicit. Stefanik and Turner assert that the lack of action by the Justice Department regarding Cohen’s admission of perjury before Congress is unacceptable, characterizing such offenses as undermining the fundamental duty of congressional oversight and inquiries.
They highlight what they perceive as a double standard, referencing the prosecution of other former Trump associates such as Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. Stefanik and Turner contend that the Biden administration’s failure to act against Cohen, despite his admission of falsehoods, reflects an apparent effort to shield him, particularly given his pivotal role as a witness against Trump in the New York trial.
The representatives had previously submitted a criminal referral to Garland, urging an investigation into Cohen’s perjury allegations but received no response. They underscore the gravity of Cohen’s brazen admission of lying to Congress, emphasizing the imperative for a thorough investigation into his actions.