ABC News has obtained the secret audio recording between Donald Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen.
The September 2016 recording between Trump and Cohen includes a short conversation between Cohen and then-candidate Trump talking about a plan, allegedly devised by Cohen, to try to purchase the rights to former Playboy model Karen McDougal’s story from American Media Inc., which owns the National Enquirer, since the media company had already bought the rights to her story.
Sources tell ABC News Cohen proposed paying about $150,000 to AMI.
On the audio tape, first released by CNN, Trump can be heard discussing the payment with Cohen.
ABC News has done an initial review of the recording. On that review, it is hard to understand the end of the tape as far as the form of proposed payment to AMI owner David Pecker.
According to a transcript provided by the Trump legal team, Trump wanted to pay via check in order to properly document the payment.
"Don't pay with cash ... check," Trump stated, according to the transcript provided by Trump's legal team.
(MORE: Trump says 'your favorite President did nothing wrong' in apparent response to Cohen recording)
However, Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis told CNN Tuesday evening that it's their opinion that Trump is heard suggesting the cash payment.
Davis does acknowledge that Trump used the word "check" toward the end of the tape.
McDougal sold her story as an exclusive to the National Enquirer in August 2016 for $150,000, though the tabloid never published her story -- effectively buying her silence about her alleged affair with Trump.
Federal prosecutors investigating Cohen are in possession of 12 audio recordings seized during raids of Cohen's home, office and hotel room, according to new court filings.
TAPE RECORDED and Source >>
https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-cohe...ry?id=56798373