48th District Rep. Harley Rouda Questions Michael Cohen

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — During Wednesday's hearing with Michael Cohen by the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Congressman Harley Rouda, 48th District, asked questions related to real estate and Russian-born real estate developer, Felix Sater (full video of Rouda’s questioning is available above).

“Mr. Cohen, in November 2013, President Donald Trump testified under oath in a deposition in a civil lawsuit related to the failed real estate project, Trump International Hotel & Tower in Fort Lauderdale.

“During the deposition, President Trump was asked about his knowledge of Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer and a convicted member of the Russian mafia, who, according to press reports, pleaded guilty in 1998 for his role in a $40 million stock manipulation scheme. And it’s worth noting that it is well publicized the direct relationship between the Russian Mafia and the Kremlin.

“Over the years, President Trump was asked how many times he interacted with Mobster Felix Sater. In 2013, President Trump testified that, quote: ‘Not many. If he were sitting in the room right now, I really wouldn’t know what he looked like.’

Q: Mr. Cohen, isn’t it true that President Trump knew Mobster Felix Sater in 2013 when he made that statement?

Michael Cohen: Yes.

Q: Isn’t it true that because of his relationship to the Trump Organization, Mr. Sater had an office in Trump Tower?

Michael Cohen: - and on the 26th floor

Q: The 26th floor is important why?

Michael Cohen: It was Mr. Trump’s floor.

Q: So he had an office on the same floor as President Trump?

Michael Cohen: In fact, when he left, his office became my office.

Q: And at one point used Trump Organization business cards indicating he was a quote, “senior advisor to Donald Trump.”

Michael Cohen: Yes.

Q: Did Mr. Sater pay rent for the office in Trump Tower?

Michael Cohen: No, he did not.

Q: Based on those facts, isn’t it true that Donald Trump misled at best, or at worst lied under oath?

Michael Cohen: Yes.

Rouda, a former Real Estate Broker, Lawyer and now politician unseated longstanding southern California congressman Dana Rohrabacher, known to have an affinity for Russian interests.