Michael Cohen, formerly the longtime attorney to President Trump, will publicly testify on Capitol Hill before he begins his three-year prison stint next month.
Cohen has agreed to go before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 7.
“In furtherance of my commitment to cooperate and provide the American people with answers, I have accepted the invitation by Chairman Elijah Cummings to appear publicly on February 7th before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,” said Cohen in a statement released through his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis.
“I look forward to having the privilege of being afforded a platform with which to give a full and credible account of the events which have transpired.”
Cohen cooperated with investigators — including special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe of the 2016 election — in exchange for leniency in sentencing on charges that included campaign finance violations.
He was sentenced last month to three years behind bars.
“I thank Michael Cohen for agreeing to testify before the Oversight Committee voluntarily,” said Cummings in a statement.
“I want to make clear that we have no interest in inappropriately interfering with any ongoing criminal investigations, and to that end, we are in the process of consulting with Special Counsel Mueller’s Office.”
The Oversight Committee apparently isn’t the Capitol Hill body with which Cohen is eager to speak.
“Mr. Cohen has expressed an interest in telling his personal story in open session, and we welcome his testimony before the Committee on Oversight and Reform,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), head of the House Intelligence Committee.
“It will be necessary, however, for Mr. Cohen to answer questions pertaining to the Russia investigation, and we hope to schedule a closed session before our committee in the near future.”
About the Author
