海角大神

Michael Cohen, President Trump鈥檚 former personal attorney, was sentenced today to three years in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion and campaign finance violations, as well as lying to Congress about contacts with Russians in 2016 about a proposal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.

Once known as Mr. Trump鈥檚 鈥渇ixer,鈥� Mr. Cohen famously threatened those who criticized his boss, and was responsible for making the most indelicate problems go away. Then, when the special counsel鈥檚 investigation heated up, he became Trump world鈥檚 most prominent turncoat, saying he regretted his entire association with Trump and wanted to start his life anew.

Cohen admitted to making 鈥渉ush money鈥� payments to women claiming extramarital affairs with Trump 鈥� and said he did it at the president鈥檚 direction, in an effort to influence the 2016 election.

His ultimate value to the Trump-Russia investigation remains to be seen, but the special counsel鈥檚 office told the judge he had been 鈥渉elpful.鈥�

Cohen was reportedly tearful at today鈥檚 sentencing. He apologized to his family, and blamed his own fealty to Trump as leading him to 鈥渢ake a path of darkness instead of light.鈥�

In advance of the sentencing, the Monitor鈥檚 Warren Richey, who covers the Trump-Russia investigation, read through all 37 letters submitted by Cohen鈥檚 friends and associates, asking the judge for leniency 鈥� an extraordinary number of testimonials, Warren says. They painted a picture of a good friend and dedicated parent whose 鈥済reatest weakness has been his blind loyalty towards those who have misused his trust,鈥� as one associate wrote.

A fellow parent at his children鈥檚 former school called him 鈥淪uper Dad.鈥� He raised money for St. Jude鈥檚 children鈥檚 hospital, and when a housekeeper鈥檚 child needed surgery but couldn鈥檛 afford it, Cohen paid for the operation, conferred with doctors, and visited the child in the hospital.

In their response, Warren points out, prosecutors said Cohen led 鈥渁 double life.鈥� Their sentencing memo noted that it is 鈥渇ar easier to give generously to charities when the donor is simultaneously evading the payment of taxes on millions of dollars in income.鈥�

The judge agreed, saying that as a lawyer, Cohen should have known better. He added: 鈥渁 significant term of imprisonment is fully justified in this highly publicized case to send a message.鈥�

Let us know what you鈥檙e thinking at csmpolitics@csmonitor.com.