Trump ex-attorney Michael Cohen sentenced: 3 years prison, $500,000 forfeiture, $1.4 million restitution, $50,000 fine

Donald Trump's longtime fixer and personal attorney has been sentenced to to 36 months (3 years) in federal prison, plus an additional 3 years of supervised release, in a case in the Southern District of New York.

Judge William H. Pauley of SDNY also sentenced Cohen to 2 months for lying to Congress, to be served concurrently to his primary 36-month sentence.

He also issued an order for $500,000 in forfeiture, payment of $1.39 million in back taxes, and a $50,000 fine.

Judge Pauley also ordered an additional $50,000 fine, for lying to Congress.

There are additional terms of imprisonment, but all will be served by Cohen concurrently.

Cohen will be able to voluntarily surrender, he was not taken into custody as the hearing ended.

Federal prosecutors asked for a "substantial" prison sentence of about 3 and a half years. Cohen asked for time served. He could face up to five years, based on sentencing guidelines for his crimes.

We respectfully submit that the case calls for a full consideration of mercy, Michael Cohen's defense attorney Guy Petrillo said during the hearing.

Petrillo argued that Cohen should receive a lenient sentence in part because Cohen came forward to offer evidence against Trump.

"I don't really understand the strident tone of the memo, Petrillo said, referring to the Southern District of New York's filing.

Implying that his connection to Trump was the reason for the strident tone, Petrillo added, Mr. Cohen had the misfortune to be counsel to the president.

This, of course, implies that Cohen's position at Trump's side was not something over which Cohen had any choice. Read the rest