— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) August 21, 2018
Later today, we should have a better idea of the terms of the deal.
The most significant part of his plea deal, expected to be told in court today at 4 pm (SDNY), will be the terms of the campaign finance plea. Do they implicate/leave room for misconduct by the Trump campaign, and even Trump himself? If so, makes Cohen a powerful witness if he eventually testifies. He will be effectively saying “Yup, I did it, I took my punishment… and so should Trump.”
UPDATE – 3:30 pm – Cohen has surrendered himself to the FBI earlier than usual but 4 pm court appearance still expected.
CNN reporting that Cohen is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations, tax fraud and bank fraud.
Michael Cohen is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations, tax fraud and bank fraud. The deal will include jail time and a substantial monetary fine https://t.co/IwkfVI69n9 pic.twitter.com/titduSL0RK
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 21, 2018
UPDATE #2 – 3:45 pm
JUST IN: Michael Cohen to plead guilty in deal that includes 3-5 years jail time – FNC
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 21, 2018
And for those keeping score….
UPDATE #3 – 4:25pm
Meanwhile
BURR says the Senate Intel cmte “recently re-engaged Cohen” after reports about the Trump Tower meeting. pic.twitter.com/1V6MFXMphY
— Andrew Desiderio (@desiderioDC) August 21, 2018
And in lower Manhattan…
Plea agreement is regarding 8 counts.
— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) August 21, 2018
Count 7 is Karen McDougal
Stormy Daniels payment was finalized on Oct. 27. That’s Count 8.
And breaking at the same time… the jurors have reached a verdict in 8 of the 18 counts against Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Jury hung on 10 counts.
Finally…. uh oh
Absolutely stunning news implicating President of the United States.
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) August 21, 2018
Cohen pleaded that he committed "in coordination" and "at the direction of" "candidate for federal office" when asked by the judge to describe the crime.
(includes Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels payments)
This was confirmed by a NY Daily News reporter.
Still nothing about cooperation agreement.