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Cohen Puckers Up Financially over $12.8M Loan, Increasing Odds He’ll Flip on Trump

 

Michael Cohen put his Manhattan apartment up as collateral for a $12.8 million series of loans taken out by businesses owned by Cohen and his wife, Bloomberg is reporting. Bloomberg uncovered the collateral documents in recent public filings.

Cohen, however, in a response back to Bloomberg, told reporters the numbers were wrong. He also acccused Bloomberg reporters failing to “remotely understand” his loan.

The loan was apparently guaranteed by taxi medallions owned by one of Cohen’s businesses. Those medallions have crashed in value some 80%, Bloomberg reports. Thus, the bank probably asked for additional property to secure the loans. Cohen’s apartment was reportedly used. Bloomberg estimates Cohen’s apartment as being worth in the $8 million to $9 million range.

The move comes as observers, including Bloomberg, have openly and previously questioned Cohen’s financial status. This report cites the plummeting value of Cohen’s taxi medallions, taxes and fines levied against those medallions, and Cohen’s current difficulty in continuing legal work as sources of financial stress. Bloomberg and others have suggested Cohen might be inclined to cooperate with investigators looking into President Donald Trump’s relationship with Russia if his own financial situation becomes increasingly bleak.

Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani says Cohen doesn’t have any dirt on Trump, anyway, and therefore would be of limited help to federal authorities.

[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.]

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Aaron Keller holds a juris doctor degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and a broadcast journalism degree from Syracuse University. He is a former anchor and executive producer for the Law&Crime Network and is now deputy editor-in-chief for the Law&Crime website. DISCLAIMER:  This website is for general informational purposes only. You should not rely on it for legal advice. Reading this site or interacting with the author via this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. This website is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Speak to a competent lawyer in your jurisdiction for legal advice and representation relevant to your situation.