Photo credits: TNS, Getty Images and Associated Press

Michael Cohen’s orchestration of an Essential Consultants payoff to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels was the first in a series of transactions that entangled him in a criminal investigation that threatens to yield fraud charges against President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer.

Newsletter Get our Essential Politics newsletter

The latest news, analysis and insights from our politics teams from Sacramento to D.C.

Enter Email Address Sign Me Up

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.