Michael Cohen was taken back into federal custody on Thursday, a week after the former Trump lawyer was spotted eating at an upscale Manhattan restaurant while on furlough from federal prison because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reuters reported that a witness said Cohen was detained on Thursday. MSNBC reported that Cohen was remanded into federal custody because he violated the terms of his prison furlough.
The New York Post reported last Friday that Cohen was spotted the day before eating with his wife and two friends at Le Bilboque, a French restaurant in Manhattan.
The Post quoted a former Bureau of Prisons official questioning whether Cohen violated the terms of his furlough.
The Bureau of Prisons ordered Cohen released from a minimum-security facility in Otisville, N.Y. on May 20, citing concerns about the spread of coronavirus among federal inmates.
It was not clear at the time whether Cohen would be allowed to complete the remaining 18 months of his prison sentence from home, or if his furlough was temporary.
Cohen pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2018 to tax evasion, bank fraud and illegal campaign finance charges. He admitted to making hush money payments in October 2016 to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who claimed she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006. (RELATED: Michael Cohen Spotted Eating At Upscale NYC Restaurant While On Furlough From Prison)
Cohen pleaded guilty in the special counsel’s investigation to making false statements to Congress regarding his efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.
A federal judge sentenced Cohen to 36 months in prison on Dec. 12, 2019. He testified before Congress months later regarding his past work for Trump.
According to MSNBC, Cohen went to federal court on Thursday expecting to sign paperwork related to his home confinement.
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