Rachel Maddow takes a look at the days top political news stories. James comey. It also only mize if the case in question is closely connected to politics. Thats whats important about the big new development. The Wall Street Journal was first on report in detail on the type of charges that federal prosecutors may be considering against the president s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. If it is kregt, the charges he is facing from prosecutors are not related to politics at all. At least not at face value. In quote, previously unreported developments, federal prosecutors in new york are examining whether mr. Cohen committed tax fraud. Quote, federal authorities are assessing whether his income from his. At Ai Medallion Business was underreported. That includes hundred of thousands received in cash and other payments over the last five years. In addition, federal authorities have been investigating whether he made misrepresentations or
false statements on lone applications including whether
Wolf Blitzer looks at politics, Breaking News and international stories. Weve not heard from cohens attorneys either for any comment on our reporting. Stand by for a moment, kara. I want to get back to you. Shimon, what else are you learning . Wolf, some of what were told the u. S. Attorney there in new york has been looking at are payments Michael Cohen received. This all came out that he received them for potential lobbying, potential influence at the white house and other places. Some of the people who have come before the grand jury there in new york were asked questions about this money, about the money that Michael Cohen had paid them. Some of them who have been asked to appear before the grand jury, they were told they did not need to appear right now while prosecutors could be close to negotiating this plea deal. Of course, keep in mind, as kara said, at any time this could fall apart. There are some questions about money, whether or not what kind of fine potentially michael
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A look at Breaking News, politics and reports from around the world. Matter. The Justice Department guidelines preclude indicting a sitting president. Michael cohen in his own words defying his long time ally. He has said he would take a bullet for President Trump. And now hes publicly saying in court under oath that he committed these crimes in coordination and at the direction of the then candidate. Very specific words. Could cohen still cooperate with the Special Counsel Robert Muellers overall russia probe . As you know, mueller delegated this case to the u. S. Attorney in the Southern District of new york. Reporter thats right, wolf. This investigation began by referral from Robert Mueller. But as part of this Plea Agreement, Michael Cohen is not, you know, coop rating. He is not in Cooperation Deal with the u. S. Attorneys office in manhattan bringing this case. Nothing precludes him from speaking with Robert Muellers investigators or from them reaching out to Michael Cohen. Hes
A recap of the days headlines and a look at whats in store for tomorrow. Reporter breaking tonight dramatic developments in the Michael Cohen case, could be the most erratic of all because it could be more damaging to donald trump, he was directly implicated unlike the Paul Manafort case that has nothing to do with the president or the 2016 campaign. That may explain why the president s initial comments, he leaned in proving he said it was a witch hunt, he said nothing on cohen who will get present time between 43, and 63 month on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion and Campaign Finance charges that seem to point to the president. Rudy giuliani said the opposite in a written statement, that there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president of the government charges against mister cohen. It is clear mister cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over significant time but cohens plea deal alleges he broke the law to influence the 2016 election on behalf of
Case. Also, arming teachers. The Department Of Education weighing whether to let states use federal funding to arm teachers. Were going to hear from a student and a parent from parkland, florida. And unsportsmanlike conduct. One of College Footballs most decaded coaches, ohio states urban meyers, suspended for his response to Domestic Abuse allegations. A lot of critics are saying it was a slap on the wrist. Is there a double standard at play . Well dig into that. But we start with that breaking news. Nbc news has just confirmed one of President Trumps longtime friends, a man who may know his secrets better than just about anyone, was granted immunity in the Michael Cohen case. His name is michael pecker. He is the ceo of the company that published the national inquir inquirer. Lets start with tom winter. Hans nichols is standing by for us at the white house. Tom, tell us all that you know. And somebody who either decided to cooperate and capitulate and pleaded guilty. Do we know wheth