Keeping track of Michael Cohen’s comings and goings in 2020 is a spectator sport all its own. Earlier this year, Cohen discussed his plans to write a memoir of his time working for Donald Trump. Cohen was in the midst of serving a federal prison sentence at the time; pandemic concerns resulted in his sentence being shifted to home confinement — in Cohen’s case, to be served in his New York apartment. Earlier this month, Cohen discussed a possible book deal, which resulted in him returning to federal prison.
If you thought it strange or suspicious that Cohen’s return to prison came from discussing a book deal, you’re not alone. Among those sympathizing with this position is Federal District Court Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein — which has had a significant effect on Cohen’s legal situation.
According to a report by Emily Jane Fox at Vanity Fair, Cohen is slated to return to home confinement imminently. Hellerstein ruled that Cohen was improperly treated by the federal government when he was returned to prison.
“It’s retaliation because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and to discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on social media and with others,” Hellerstein said.
According to Vanity Fair‘s report, Cohen’s push for a book deal has been re-energized due to the success of Mary L. Trump’s memoir for publisher Simon & Schuster. As we’re in the midst of a host of Trump-related books, along with heated debate on the ethics of publishing memoirs from former Trump confidantes, the inevitable Cohen memoir is likely to prompt even more controversy.
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