WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen filed a lawsuit against Trump Organization on Thursday alleging that he was not paid for legal…
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen filed a lawsuit against Trump Organization on Thursday alleging that he was not paid for legal fees he incurred after turning on the president.
Cohen, in the lawsuit filed in New York, says he was part of an agreement with the Trump Organization that outlined the business would cover expenses for his legal expenses as he became a focus of federal prosecutors in New York and with special counsel Robert Mueller’s office.
He claims that in June 2018, when he began telling others he would cooperate with prosecutors, the Trump Organization stopped paying without any notice. Since then, he says, he’s incurred more than $1 million in legal expenses, which he argues Trump Organization should pay.
More: Michael Cohen’s attorney said former lawyer sought Trump pardon
More: Analysis: For President Trump, Cohen’s allegations were explosive. Will they matter?
More: USA TODAY exclusive: Hundreds allege Donald Trump doesn’t pay his bills
Cohen claims that in July 2017 he and the Trump Organization entered into an agreement that the company would pay “for his attorneys’ fees and costs in connection with Mr. Cohen’s representation and defense in the investigations and other matters.” The agreement was due to Cohen being part of a joint defense agreement with others targeted by prosecutors.
He said over the months, Trump Organization shelled out checks, including one for $137,460 for legal expenses in October 2017.
