Witnesses walked prosecutors step-by-step through payments to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen from the Trump Organization on Monday as prosecutors laid out their paper trail in the hush money case against Donald Trump.
Two former Trump Organization employees were called to the stand to testify in the case: Jeff McConney, a former comptroller who retired last year, as well as Deborah Tarasoff, who works in accounting and writes checks.
During McConney’s testimony, jurors were shown a series of documents including invoices, checks, spreadsheets and handwritten notes as the witness explained how Cohen was “reimbursed” for the alleged hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
In total, McConney testified that Cohen was paid $420,000, including money from Trump’s revocable trust and later from his personal account.
McConney recalled a conversation he had with Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s chief financial officer, about owing money to Cohen.
Included in the evidence presented was the handwritten “chicken scratch” note that McConney had taken on a Trump Organization notepad during that conversation with Weisselberg about the payments.
McConney’s notes include a $50,000 bonus plus $180,000 ‘x2 taxes.’ It shows a total of $420,000 divided into payments of $35,000.
Donald Trump speaking to reporters in Manhattan Criminal Court after concluding testimony on May 6.
Included in the evidence presented was the handwritten “chicken scratch” note that McConney had taken on a Trump Organization notepad during that conversation with Weisselberg about the payments.
McConney’s notes include a $50,000 bonus plus $180,000 ‘x2 taxes.’ It shows a total of $420,000 divided into payments of $35,000. It also noted “monthly cable from DJT.”
Through tedious testimony, McConney walked through a series of invoices Cohen had to submit each month in 2017 to receive payment, telling the jury that if Cohen wanted to get paid, “he had to send us an invoice.”
Although Cohen’s invoices did not specify an exact figure, McConney testified that it was understood to be $35,000 per month that was transferred monthly beginning in February 2017.
The former comptroller confirmed in his note that the money would be sent from the former president’s personal account.
Also presented as evidence on Monday was a bank statement that included Weisselberg’s own handwriting. It showed the calculated amount along with the bonus divided by 12 months.
The total amount written on the document by Weisselberg was $420,000, the amount prosecutors say they paid Cohen to cover the hush payment.
A spreadsheet also details how the first three payments to Cohen were paid from the revocable trust for $105,000.
The last nine payments were paid through Trump’s personal account and totaled $315,000, according to the report. The payments were described as “legal expenses.”
Jeff McConney worked as the Trump Organization’s comptroller until his retirement last year. He testified Monday in Trump’s hush money case over payments made to Michael Cohen.
A sketch of McConney being questioned by prosecutor Matthew Colangelo on May 6 as Trump looks on in Manhattan criminal court.
While being questioned, McConney confirmed to Trump’s defense attorney, Emil Bove, that he did not know if Cohen was doing legal work as Trump’s personal attorney.
His testimony lasted about three hours. When it was over, Trump was observed waving his hand in the air while the jury was still in the courtroom.
In the afternoon, Tarasoff was also called to the stand. He has worked for the Trump Organization for about 24 years.
During his testimony, he explained to the jury how invoices were approved and checks were issued.
A sketch of Deborah Tarasoff testifying in Trump’s hush money trial. She has worked in the Trump Organization’s accounting department for 24 years.
Tarasoff was questioned by prosecutor Chris Conroy in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 6, 2024, where she explained to the jury how invoices were approved and checks paid.
Tarasoff confirmed that the checks to Cohen were sent to Washington, D.C., for Trump’s signature while he served as president in the White House.
For the first time in the trial, the jury was shown a series of checks made out to Cohen with Trump’s signature.
In a moment of levity, Tarasoff confirmed Trump’s signature because he was known for signing using a black marker.
Only Trump was able to sign the checks from the DJT account, he confirmed.
Tarasoff also testified that invoices over $10,000 had to be approved by Trump or one of his children after 2015.
For the first time in the trial, the jury was shown a series of checks made out to Cohen with Trump’s signature.
The week began with Trump being found guilty of contempt of court for the tenth time and fined another $1,000.
Judge Juan Merchán warned that the former president could face prison sentences if he continues to violate the silence order that prevents him from speaking about the witnesses in the case.
Prosecutors concluded the day by telling Judge Merchan that they could wrap up their case in just over two weeks.
Likely key witnesses, including Cohen, Daniels and former playmate Karen McDougal, have yet to testify in the case.
