August, 22 2018, 12:00am EDT
Statement by Free Speech For People on Michael Cohen's Plea Deal
Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges. Two of those charges were violations of federal campaign finance law, including one related to causing an illegal corporate contribution, which was the subject of a complaint to the Federal Election Commission by Free Speech For People. And critically, confirming allegations made earlier by Free Speech for People, Cohen admitted that he made these payments to influence a federal election "in coordination with, and at the direction of, a candidate for federal office" that can only be Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON
Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges. Two of those charges were violations of federal campaign finance law, including one related to causing an illegal corporate contribution, which was the subject of a complaint to the Federal Election Commission by Free Speech For People. And critically, confirming allegations made earlier by Free Speech for People, Cohen admitted that he made these payments to influence a federal election "in coordination with, and at the direction of, a candidate for federal office" that can only be Donald Trump.
As summarized in our new book The Constitution Demands It: The Case for the Impeachment of Donald Trump, these are serious violations, and Cohen's statement that Trump directed him to make these payments is a stunning admission. The personal lawyer to the president of the United States has stated in open court that the president directed him to violate federal law for the purpose of helping him to win the 2016 presidential election.
Our original complaint to the Federal Elections Commission was filed on February 16, 2018. Our amended complaint was filed on July 25, 2018.
Free Speech For People is a national non-partisan non-profit organization founded on the day of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC that works to defend our democracy and our Constitution.
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