President Donald Trump's embattled former attorney and "fixer," Michael Cohen reached a plea deal this afternoon with federal prosecutors of the Southern District of New York.
Cohen had been under investigation for bank and tax fraud amounting to over 20 million dollars and, additionally, for his efforts to buy the silence of women who reportedly had affairs with Mr. Trump.
Cohen surrendered to the FBI this afternoon before a court proceeding in which he pled guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one count of falsifying statements to a financial institution, as well as two counts of campaign finance violations. Cohen admitted in court to making the hush payments at Trump's instruction.
The terms of the plea reportedly have Cohen serving three to five years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December 12.
According to sources, the plea deal does not mandate cooperation with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the possibility of collusion between Russian officials and Trump's presidential campaign, however the man who once said he'd take a bullet for the president later pledged to put his family and country--not the president--first. Cohen will still be permitted to voluntarily assist the Special Counsel and Robert Mueller could recommend a reduction in his sentence.
The news of Cohen's likely prison sentence has resurrected a tweet of his from 2015:
To which users are reacting with glee:
The agreement indicates a huge development in the Special Counsel's investigation and brings to fruition efforts that made some of the biggest headlines of the year.
One effort was that of adult film actress Stormy Daniels and her attorney Michael Avenatti.
Daniels originally made the allegations that Cohen brokered a 130 thousand dollar deal days before the 2016 election to secure her silence of an early 2000's affair with then-candidate Donald Trump.
With some of the charges reportedly involving the payments, many are commending Daniels, including her attorney Michael Avenatti.
The news has Avenatti, a self-proclaimed street fighter, setting his sights on the president.
Avenatti later went on to say the developments would allow his team to depose the president under oath:
The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public.
While next steps for all involved are still unclear, today seems to be a watershed moment for the investigation, with the president's right hand man and former Republican National Committee finance chair pleading guilty to financial crimes. It casts a foreboding shadow for the president and possibly others.
This article has been updated from its original version as more up to date information has been reported.
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