Trump lawyer-turned-critic Michael Cohen to apply for "anti-weaponization fund"
Michael Cohen, a Trump lawyer-turned-critic, is planning to apply for money from the Justice Department's new "anti-weaponization fund," he told CBS News.
"I am working through the process on my own and will submit the letter directly to the DOJ once completed," Cohen told CBS News in a text message.
The controversial $1.776 billion fund was announced earlier this week, offering financial compensation to people who allege the legal system was "weaponized" against them. It's part of a settlement between President Trump and the Justice Department to resolve a lawsuit brought by the president against the Internal Revenue Service over the leaking of Mr. Trump's tax returns.
He said he is applying because he believes the issues that prompted Mr. Trump to sue the government are "identical to what had happened to me."
"The basis for which Trump instituted the $10 billion action are the same causes of action that have affected me as well—has cost me my law license, my businesses, finances, family happiness, business relationships and opportunities," Cohen said.
Cohen said that he is still working on a draft of his letter seeking relief. In a portion of his draft obtained by CBS News, Cohen wrote: "If the weaponization fund truly exists to support individuals destroyed by politically motivated law enforcement tactics, selective prosecution, government leaks, abuses of power and intentional destruction of reputation then there is perhaps no clearer example than what happened to me."