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Trump knew paying hush money was wrong, says ex-lawyer Cohen

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Washington, Dec 14 (IANS) Donald Trump knew he was doing wrong when he directed hush money to be paid to two women during the 2016 presidential election to keep them silent about their alleged affairs with him, the President’s former lawyer Michael Cohen said in a television interview.

“Trump was very concerned about how this would affect the election if their allegations of affairs became public,” Cohen told the ABC News in the interview that was broadcast on Friday.

“He directed me to make the payments. He directed me to become involved in these matters,” Cohen, who was sentenced to three years in prison earlier this week over campaign finance and other charges, told ABC News’ Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Cohen’s comments were his first since being sentenced for financial crimes, lying to Congress and two campaign finance violations in connection with the deals with the women — Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels — who claim past affairs with Trump.

“I knew what I was doing was wrong. I stood up before the world (Wednesday) and I accepted the responsibility for my actions.”

Asked if Trump also knew it was wrong to make the payments, Cohen said: “Of course,” adding that the purpose was to “help (Trump) and his campaign.”

However, the President said on Thursday that he never directed Cohen to break the law. Trump had also claimed in an interview that he “did nothing wrong” and said prosecutors had cooked up the charges to embarrass him.

Responding to Trump’s claims, Cohen said: “… Nothing at the Trump organisation was ever done unless it was run through Trump. He directed me to make the payments, he directed me to become involved in these matters.

“Under no circumstances do I want to embarrass the President. He knows the truth. I know the truth. Others know the truth.

“And here is the truth: People of the US, people of the world, don’t believe what he is saying. The man doesn’t tell the truth. And it is sad that I should take responsibility for his dirty deeds.”

The former lawyer said that he was “angry at himself” for his role in the deals, but that he did it out of “blind loyalty” to Trump. “I gave loyalty to someone who, truthfully, does not deserve loyalty,” he said.

Cohen admitted in August that on the eve of the 2016 presidential election he made a $130,000 payment to porn actor Daniels and arranged for a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model McDougal.

He pleaded guilty to eight federal crimes and later pleaded guilty to an additional count of lying to Congress.

Cohen is now cooperating with authorities and special counsel Robert Mueller’s office has said he helped in their investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

He is due to report to prison on March 6.

–IANS
soni/bg

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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