Michael Cohen, ex-Trump lawyer, settles lawsuit with Trump Org just before trial.

Michael Cohen Settles Lawsuit Against‌ Trump Organization

Jurors were already sworn in‍ and ⁣the trial was set to begin Monday, but lawyers ⁣for both parties⁤ agreed ⁤in court on Friday⁢ to a settlement.

In‍ a statement ⁣on Friday,‌ Mr. Cohen said, “this matter has been‌ resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties.”

The Trump Organization and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Mr. Cohen had ⁤brought‍ the case ⁣over $1.9 million in fees he says he was owed⁢ and another $1.9 million he said he was ordered to give​ up over a criminal ⁣case.

Court filings show the fees were partially paid (pdf). The Trump Organization maintained it covered the legitimate invoices but not the ones related to some of Mr. Cohen’s own crimes,⁤ according ‍to the filings.

The settlement⁣ takes one of Mr.‍ Trump’s many ‌legal battles off his ‌plate as he continues ​to ‌campaign for a second term as ⁤president.

Mr. Cohen is still also facing a $500 million ‌lawsuit ​from Mr. Trump over revealing‌ “confidences” and “spreading ​falsehoods,” which he has raised over $230,000 for through crowdfunding to cover⁢ legal fees.

Mr. Cohen is also ⁣expected to be a witness in a criminal case Mr. Trump faces in Manhattan.

Loyalist-Turned-Detractor

“Time and time again, I felt it was my duty⁤ to cover up his dirty deeds,” Mr. Cohen said ⁤in​ 2018 as he pleaded guilty to a number of crimes ⁢he said‍ he committed for Mr. Trump as he was running for office.

The crimes included making illegal ​payments⁤ to two women in exchange for‌ not speaking publicly about affairs they claimed to‍ have with Mr. Trump, which is now ⁢the subject of another lawsuit in​ which Mr. Cohen is expected​ to testify.

In April, Mr. Trump​ pleaded not guilty ​to 34 counts, including falsifying business records related to hush money ⁢payments.

Mr. Cohen’s 2018 testimony marked⁤ a solid break from Mr. Trump. That year, federal‍ investigations into Mr. ⁢Trump‌ led ‌to the search of Mr. Cohen’s home, which he’s noted as just one of ⁢many events that‍ led to his change of heart.

In 2019, he⁤ testified for seven hours before Congress about Mr. Trump and alleged business dealings with Russia, ⁣and was later investigated for ⁣ perjury.

Mr. Cohen has since ⁤been a vocal opponent of Mr.‌ Trump’s, writing a memoir and making media appearances to ⁢speak against Mr. Trump and his supporters. On CBS in April,‌ he said Republicans following Trump were “in the cult, and I know⁤ what it’s like to be in the cult.” On MSNBC last month, he said Mr. Trump would‌ “throw anyone and ​everyone under the bus in order to preserve his own freedom, in order to benefit ⁣himself.”

Legal Battles Mounting

Mr.​ Trump is currently‍ embroiled ⁢in several other cases.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trump revealed on social⁢ media that he ⁤was sent a letter from special counsel Jack Smith, stating he was a target of the investigation into the ‍events of⁤ Jan. 6. Hundreds have already been indicted in the ongoing case.

Also this week, a judge refused his request to shift his New York ⁢criminal case to federal court​ on Wednesday, ​the same day another federal judge gave Mr. Trump an unfavorable ⁣ruling in⁤ a civil case brought by writer ⁤E.‌ Jean Carroll. On ⁣Tuesday, a