Donald Trump Trial Pack: Prosecutors Unveil ‘Chicken Scratch’ Notes Detailing Exactly How $35,000 ‘Hush Money’ Payments to Michael Cohen Were Calculated and Signed by Trump with a Black Sharpie
Witnesses on Monday walked prosecutors step-by-step through the payments to Trump’s former Trump Organization lawyer Michael Cohen, as the prosecutor laid out his paper trail in the hush-money case against Donald Trump.
Two longtime employees of the Trump Organization were called to the stand to testify in the case: Jeff McConney, a former comptroller who retired last year, and Deborah Tarasoff, who works in accounting and issues checks.
During McConney’s testimony, the jury was shown a series of documents, including invoices, checks, spreadsheets and handwritten notes, as the witness walked through how Cohen was “repaid” for the alleged hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
In total, McConney testified that Cohen received $420,000, including money from Trump’s revocable trust and then from his personal account.
McConney recalled a conversation he had with Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg about being owed Cohen money.
Included in the evidence submitted was the handwritten “chicken scratch” note McConney made 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 before taxes.’ This shows that a total of $420,000 has been divided into payments of $35,000
Donald Trump speaks to reporters in Manhattan Criminal Court after testimony for the day of May 6 concludes
Among the evidence submitted was the handwritten “chicken scratch” note McConney made 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 before taxes.’ This shows that a total of $420,000 has been divided into payments of $35,000. He also noted ‘monthly thread from DJT.’
Through boring testimony, McConney ran through a series of invoices that Cohen had to submit for each month of 2017 to get paid, 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 amount, McConney testified that the amount was in the amount of $35,000 per month, which was transferred monthly starting in February 2017.
The former comptroller confirmed in his note that the money would be transferred from the former president’s personal account.
A bank statement containing Weisselberg’s handwriting was also submitted into evidence Monday. It showed the calculated amount along with the bonus divided by 12 months.
The total amount Weisselberg wrote on the document was $420,000, the amount prosecutors say Cohen was paid to cover the hush money payment.
A spreadsheet also detailed how the first three payments were made to Cohen from the $105,000 revocable trust.
The last nine payments were made through Trump’s personal account and totaled $315,000, according to the report. The payments were described as ‘legal fees’.
Jeff McConney worked as a controller for the Trump Organization until his retirement last year. He testified Monday in Trump’s hush money case over payments 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 attorney Emil Bove that he did not know whether Cohen was doing legal work as Trump’s personal attorney.
His testimony lasted about three hours. When he finished, Trump was seen raising his hand while the jury was still in the courtroom.
In the afternoon Tarasoff was also called to the stand. She worked for the Trump Organization for about 24 years.
During her testimony, she showed the jury how invoices were approved and checks were written.
A sketch of Deborah Tarasoff testifying in the hush money trial against Trump. She worked in the Trump Organization’s accounting department for 24 years
Tarasoff was questioned by District Attorney Chris Conroy in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 6, 2024, where she showed the jury how invoices were approved and checks were paid
Tarasoff confirmed that checks to Cohen were sent to Washington DC for Trump’s signature while he was serving as president in the White House.
For the first time during the trial, the jury was shown a series of checks to Cohen with Trump’s signature on them.
In a moment of levity, Tarasoff confirmed Trump’s signature, as he was known for signing with a black Sharpie.
Only Trump could sign the checks from the DJT account she confirmed.
Tarasoff also testified that after 2015, invoices for more than $10,000 had to be approved by Trump or one of his sons.
For the first time during the trial, the jury was shown a series of checks to Cohen with Trump’s signature on them
The week started with Trump being found in contempt of court for the tenth time and fined another $1,000.
Judge Juan Merchan warned that the ex-president could face jail time if he continues to violate the gag order that prevents him from speaking about witnesses in the case.
Prosecutors ended the day by telling Judge Merchan they could rest their case in just over two weeks.
Likely key witnesses, including Cohen, Daniels and former playmate Karen McDougal, have not yet testified in the case.