Michael Cohen, a former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, has met with prosecutors as part of the Manhattan district attorney's criminal investigation into the former US President.
Cohen is expected to appear before a grand jury later in the day, and his testimony is seen as a crucial piece of evidence in the case.
The investigation centers around hush money payments made to a porn star before the 2016 election.
The fact that Cohen is meeting with prosecutors is seen as a signal that the district attorney is moving closer to seeking an indictment of Trump.
Michael D. Cohen, a crucial witness in the Manhattan district attorney's criminal investigation into former President Donald J. Trump, met with prosecutors on Monday ahead of his expected appearance before a grand jury later in the day.
(New York Times)
Cohen is "expected to give testimony that could be among the final puzzle pieces in establishing the key elements of criminal intent behind the illegal hush money scheme," according to a source familiar with the investigation. (CNN)
However, Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has sought to discredit the investigation.
His spokesperson, Liz Harrington, said in a statement that "there is no evidence of wrongdoing" and that the investigation was "the ultimate witch hunt.
" (BBC)
The district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, has already questioned at least seven other people before the grand jury this year, and Cohen is thought to be one of the final witnesses.
His appearance, along with other recent developments, has led analysts to speculate that the district attorney is moving closer to seeking an indictment of Trump.
(The Guardian)