A business partner of Michael Cohen, United States president Donald Trump's personal lawyer, has agreed to co-operate with prosecutors in investigations, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.
Evgeny Freidman, a Russian immigrant known as the ‘Taxi King’, will avoid jail time and will assist government prosecutors in state or federal investigations, the newspaper said, citing a person briefed on the matter.
The New York State Attorney General’s Office said Mr Freidman had pleaded guilty to a criminal charge on Tuesday in an Albany, New York, courtroom, but made no mention of whether he was co-operating with prosecutors.
Mr Freidman has been Mr Cohen's partner in the taxi business for years, even after New York City regulators barred him last year from continuing to manage taxi medallions, the New York Times said.
When asked by Reuters about the report, Mr Freidman declined in a text message to answer any questions about co-operating with prosecutors or the terms of his agreement.
“This is me taking responsibility for my actions! ... Michael is a dear dear personal friend and a passive client! That’s it! ...I hate that I have been grouped in this runaway train that I am not a part of!” Mr Freidman said by text.
His lawyer, Patrick Egan, declined to comment on the Times report.
Mr Freidman had been accused of failing to pay more than US$5 million (Dh18.37m) in taxes and five other criminal counts, each carrying maximum prison sentences of up to 25 years. In pleading guilty to a single count of criminal tax fraud, he will be sentenced to five years’ probation, the attorney general’s office said.
A spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters, neither did Mr Cohen.
Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating Mr Cohen for possible bank and tax fraud, campaign law violations and perhaps other matters related to Mr Trump's presidential campaign, a source said.
The investigation into Mr Cohen arose in part from special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into possible collusion between the Trump 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, something that Mr Trump has repeatedly denied.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
