U.S. President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges on Tuesday, and stated that Trump had directed him to pay hush money to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump, in order to prevent their statements from influencing the 2016 presidential election.
Before a federal judge in Manhattan, Cohen stated that he paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stephanie Clifford and coordinated with the publisher of the National Enquirer to pay $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
He stated that both payments were made at Trump's direction for the purpose of the 2016 election. The Wall Street Journal first reported on these two payments in January 2018 and November 2016, respectively.
However, the White House refuted Cohen's claims, stating that Trump did nothing wrong.
Trump also accused Cohen of lying, stating that he did not direct him to pay hush money and that he himself "did nothing wrong."
