Politics

Michael Cohen to be re-released from prison to home confinement

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PHOTO CREDITS: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP  

On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the re-release of Michael Cohen from prison to home confinement by 2pm on Friday, the 24th. ~

Cohen had sued Attorney General William Barr, stating that his move from home confinement to prison was “retaliatory” and suggesting that he was imprisoned to prevent his new “tell all” book coming out against President Donald Trump, which Cohen said in court papers would reveal details of the “the president’s behavior behind closed doors,” (NY Daily News). The prosecution denies that the provision was retaliatory, and said that Cohen was re-imprisoned for being combative and argumentative during the July 9th meeting with probation officers; they also stated that Cohen disagreed with all of the conditions of home confinement, not just the ban on media engagement (CNBC). The judge ruled in Cohen’s favor, suggesting that the provision violated the first amendment (NBC). ~

Cohen, an ex New York attorney, worked for Trump for nearly a decade as Trump’s legal counsel and executive VP of the Trump organization. Cohen is currently serving a three year prison sentence for financial crimes and lying to congress. He had been moved from prison to home-confinement in May due to COVID-19 concerns, citing older age and a history of high blood pressure and respiratory issues. However, on July 9th he was returned to the federal penitentiary in Otisville, New York after refusing to sign a new provision to his probation (NBC). The provision included a complete ban on interacting with the public, stating, “No engagement of any kind with the media, including print, tv, film, books, or any other form of media/news.” (NBC). ~

The form stated that the provision was intended to “avoid glamorizing or bringing publicity to your status as a sentenced inmate serving a custodial term in the community” (NBC). A spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons, Justin Long, said that it was not uncommon for prison officials to restrict inmates’ contact with the media. Cohen’s lawyers disagreed, stating that Cohen had not been given a warning that refusing to sign would result in imprisonment, and that Cohen agreed to sign shortly before being taken into custody (CNBC). ~

ARTICLE: DANIEL ENGLAND

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