The statement of facts documents how former President Donald Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen’s relationship began to fall apart as the federal criminal investigation targeting Cohen spilled into public view.
“On or about April 21, 2018, the Defendant publicly commented on Twitter encouraging Lawyer A not to ‘flip,’” prosecutors wrote in their statement of facts.
According to the charging document, a lawyer emailed Cohen, asking him not to cooperate with law enforcement.
“You are making a very big mistake if you believe the stories these ‘journalists’ are writing about you. They want you to cave. They want you to fail. They do not want you to persevere and succeed,” the lawyer continued, according to the statement of facts.
The day after Cohen pleaded guilty in his case, Trump tweeted criticisms of him, writing: "'If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!'" the document said.