Cohen’s undoing

Behind the vast business dealings of Donald Trump’s longtime attorney in the wake of the guilty plea that shook the country

Attorney Michael Cohen
Attorney Michael Cohen

As anyone who’s logged onto the internet in the last month knows, President Donald Trump’s former “fixer” and personal attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to eight counts of campaign finance, tax and bank fraud in August. The plea has already created problems for his former boss. But as Cohen awaits sentencing, here’s a look at some key facts about his life and his real estate.

32

The number of taxi medallions Cohen owns through at least 17 NYC-based LLCs. As of 2013, the going rate for a medallion was $1.25 million, but now, with Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing services, that’s sunk to $200,000 (on the high end).

115

The number of NYC apartments Cohen claimed to own as of 2017. But last month, city records showed that he’s selling partial interests in 330 East 63rd Street, a 92-unit rental he bought with partners for $58 million in 2015, and in 133 Avenue D.

$6.7M

The amount Cohen spent in July on a condo at 111 Murray Street. In a highly unusual arrangement, developers and Trump allies Steve Witkoff and Howard Lorber gave him a $3.5 million mortgage. Cohen was reportedly under the gun to make a purchase so that he could defer taxes after his Trump World Tower sale. In August, he listed the new unit for rent at $25,000 a month.

3

The number of Trump properties Cohen has bought in NYC since 2001. His Trump World Tower condo was listed for rent until he sold it for $3.3 million last year. His primary residence, at Trump Park Avenue, is currently valued at $9 million. The property is also listed as collateral against his $12.8 million in taxi-related debts.

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4M

An estimate of the number of files seized by the FBI when they raided Cohen’s Manhattan hotel room, apartment and office in April. Agents took 30 devices, including cell phones, iPads and computers, and the contents of one shredder.

3-to-5

The amount of time Cohen could serve in prison. Sources told CNN that one reason Cohen, who is scheduled to be sentenced in December, pleaded guilty was to ensure that his assets were not seized and that his wife was not implicated in additional charges.

$420K

The dollar amount of the “sham” invoices that prosecutors alleged Cohen submitted to the Trump Organization to obtain reimbursement for hush money paid to Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

$4.4M

The amount funneled through Essential Consultants, the shell company Cohen used to pay porn star Stormy Daniels, aka Stephanie Clifford, hush money. Blue chip firms with business before the Trump administration, including AT&T and a company with links to a Russian oligarch, also made payments to Cohen’s LLC with the goal of tapping his Trump connections.