While President Donald Trump's former longtime attorney Michael Cohen makes headlines with his legal troubles, the lawyer's wife has so far escaped them.
However, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that "prosecutors had evidence that also implicated Mr. Cohen's wife in potential criminal activity, according to people familiar with the matter. His wife was never charged."
Trump also brought up Michael Cohen's wife, born Laura Shusterman, in tweets Monday calling on his former lawyer to serve a full prison sentence.
"You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term? He makes up stories to get a GREAT & ALREADY reduced deal for himself, and get...
"...his wife and father-in-law (who has the money?) off Scott Free," the president tweeted. "He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence."
....his wife and father-in-law (who has the money?) off Scott Free. He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2018
Cohen on Thursday pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the extent and timeline of his discussions about a proposal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Trump accused him of lying to try to get a reduced prison sentence.
Laura Cohen has more connections to Trump than simply being married to the man who was his personal lawyer for many years. Her Ukrainian father, Fima Shusterman, introduced Michael Cohen to Trump, longtime Associated Press reporter Seth Hettena wrote in his book Trump / Russia: A Definitive History published in May. A former federal investigator in the book alleges that Fima Shusterman could have been Trump's business partner on the quiet and that Trump employed Cohen within the Trump Organization "as a favor to Shusterman." Michael Cohen denied the claims.
Laura Cohen's parents reportedly co-own property with the Cohens in Trump Tower in New York City.
Michael and Laura Cohen earned a fortune from New York City taxi medallions but reportedly owe tens of thousands in unpaid taxes to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as a result.
Michael Cohen mentioned his wife in a statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee last September.
"My wife and I have been married for 23 years, and are now entering into the season of our lives when we get to watch our children become adults themselves," he stated. "My daughter, who is at an Ivy League school, and my wife, who is of Ukrainian descent, have especially been subjected to harassment, insults and threats … some so severe I cannot share them in mixed company."
The Cohens have a daughter, Samantha Blake Cohen, and younger son Jake Ross Cohen.
Uncommon Knowledge
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