- Tech
-
-
Tech
The gadgets, platforms, and software that make your digital life possible. If it bleeps, clicks or blinks, you’ll find it here.
-
Devices
-
Categories
-
-
- Internet Culture
-
-
Internet Culture
-
Categories
-
Featured
-
-
- Streaming
-
-
Streaming
-
Services
-
Featured
-
-
- IRL
-
-
IRL
-
Categories
-
Featured
-
-
- Social
-
-
Social
-
Categories
-
Featured
-
-
- Live TV
-
-
Live TV
-
Services
-
Guides
-
-
- More
- Search
See all Editor's Picks →
See all Popular →
Represented by Complex Media, Inc. for advertising sales.
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Ethics
Latest
- West Virginia corrections employees suspended after Nazi salute photo surfaces Thursday 8:02 PM
- Here are the 15 best Eddie Murphy movies available to stream Thursday 7:56 PM
- Ex-InfoWars video editor admits to making up Islamophobic stories Thursday 6:55 PM
- WhatsApp accounts deleted amid Kashmir internet blackout Thursday 6:21 PM
- Guy gets mocked for tattoo of Baby Yoda drinking White Claw Thursday 6:18 PM
- Spotify Wrapped has people asking just how much it knows about us Thursday 5:50 PM
- Instagram account allegedly asked for inappropriate photos of children Thursday 5:16 PM
- How to stream ‘Boys vs. Bears on Thursday Night Football Thursday 4:33 PM
- Woman caught her boyfriend cheating through his Fitbit Thursday 4:29 PM
- The Pete Buttigieg ‘High Hopes’ dance was designed by an intern Thursday 4:17 PM
- TikTok admits to hiding content made by fat, LGBTQ, and disabled users Thursday 3:58 PM
- ‘Merry Happy Whatever’ is an unoriginal sitcom with plenty of holiday cheer Thursday 3:55 PM
- The ‘Pod Save America’ Bros are losing it over Joe Biden’s newest ad Thursday 3:28 PM
- Van Halen had a wholesome response in defense of Billie Eilish Thursday 3:15 PM
- Influencer faces wrath of K-pop fans after her son played with penis-shaped soap Thursday 1:27 PM
Michael Cohen says Trump directed him to pay off Stormy Daniels to influence 2016 election
Trump’s lawyer may soon be pleading to a crime.
President Donald Trump‘s longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, entered into a deal with the federal government today, pleading guilty to eight different felony charges ranging from tax evasion to campaign finance violations.
As part of his deal with the government, Cohen said that Trump was aware of and ordered him to make a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to buy her silence in the run-up to the 2016 election. Cohen also said Trump was aware of another payment, made to former Playmate Karen McDougal. Both women say they had affairs with the president.
Cohen pled guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of bank fraud, and two charges related to campaign finance violations.
The tax fraud charges stem from $4.3 million in income he failed to report, mainly from the operation of a taxi business. Cohen also was charged with fraudulently applying for a loan.
On the campaign finance violation charges, Cohen sought reimbursement for these payments—which constituted illegal campaign contributions—through “sham” invoices, according to U.S. District Attorney Robert Khuzami, in a press conference after the plea deal was entered.
Cohen’s confession seemingly implicates the president in those crimes.
The day keeps getting better for the president.
— Alex Wayne (@aawayne) August 21, 2018
*COHEN SAYS HE VIOLATED CAMPAIGN LAW AT DIRECTION OF CANDIDATE
*COHEN SAYS HE ACTED FOR PURPOSE OF INFLUENCING ELECTION
— Alex Wayne (@aawayne) August 21, 2018
*COHEN SAYS HE VIOLATED CAMPAIGN LAW AT DIRECTION OF CANDIDATE
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) August 21, 2018
*COHEN DOESN'T NAME CANDIDATE WHO DIRECTED CAMPAIGN VIOLATION
hint: it's @realDonaldTrump
Cohen originally wound up under federal investigation due to a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign. Cohen has been Trump’s personal fixer for over a decade now and is widely considered to be tapped into the inner workings of the Trump team.
According to reports, Cohen’s deal could still require him to serve jail time.
In a press conference, Khuzami said that Cohen would pay a “serious” price for his crimes.
This story is breaking and will be updated.

David Covucci
David Covucci is the Layer 8 editor at the Daily Dot, covering the intersection of politics and the web. His work has appeared in Vice, the Huffington Post, Jezebel, Gothamist, and other publications. He is particularly interested in hearing any tips you have. Reach out at [email protected]