‘Trump knew of hush payments,’ says President’s ex-aide Michael Cohen confesses

December 14, 2018 09:44 pm | Updated 09:44 pm IST - Washington

Michael Cohen after his sentencing on Dec.12.

Michael Cohen after his sentencing on Dec.12.

President Donald Trump knew it was wrong to order election-eve hush money paid to two women who claimed to have had affairs with him, his former lawyer Michael Cohen said in an interview to be broadcast on Friday.

Mr.Trump acted because he “was very concerned about how this would affect the election,” Mr. Cohen told ABC News of the women's allegations, in his first comments since being sentenced to three years in prison on Thursday.

Mr.Trump has said he never directed Mr. Cohen — who is due to surrender to custody by March 6 — to break the law. But the former lawyer, when asked if the President knew the payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal were wrong, said “of course.”

Mr. Cohen challenged Mr Trump's assertion that he never told him to break the law.

“First of all, nothing at the Trump Organization was ever done unless it was run through Mr. Trump. He directed me to make the payments,” Cohen said.

“He knows the truth. I know the truth. Others know the truth.”

“Here is the truth: people of the U.S., people of the world, don't believe what he is saying. The man doesn't tell the truth. And it is sad I should take responsibility for his dirty deeds,” said Mr. Cohen.

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