Former federal prosecutor tells CNN there are '6 or 7' possible crimes committed by Trump in Cohen's opening statement alone

(Image credit: Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

published 27 February 2019

Michael Cohen will accuse President Trump of 6 or 7 potential crimes just in his opening statement to Congress, according to one former prosecutor.

CNN legal analyst Elie Honig, a former prosecutor, said on Wednesday after reading the opening statement Cohen plans to deliver, "I see 6 or 7 different areas where if true, if proven, would make out crimes committed by the president."

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CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin further broke down what he called the "panoply of legal issues" for Trump in this opening statement, including "issues of campaign finance law, bank fraud, crimes involving the use of his foundation." Toobin adds that Trump "is implicated in all of that here," and although this "is not proof in and of itself," the testimony does present "a wide variety of legal problems."

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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