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Cohen keeps playing political games

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, is making a sleazy attempt to save his own skin by pandering to Democrats in Congress. They should turn him down flat.

Cohen was caught red-handed in a variety of misdeeds by federal investigators. Last year, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion, fraud, campaign finance violations — and lying to Congress.

He already has gotten one postponement in reporting to prison, for medical reasons related to surgery on his shoulder. He has been sentenced to three years behind bars.

Though Cohen is guilty of multiple crimes, special counsel Robert Mueller’s team has not linked Cohen’s ex-client, Trump, to allegations of cooperating with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election. Cohen had tried to throw the president under the proverbial bus.

And he seems to have little evidence of other wrongdoing. His accusations against Trump do not seem to have interested prosecutors enough for them to offer him a deal.

So Cohen is turning to Democrats in Congress. His lawyers have sent some leading lawmakers letters teasing:

“To date, Mr. Cohen has located several documents that we believe have significant value to the various congressional oversight and investigation committees,” the attorneys wrote.

But — surprise — going through all his evidence against Trump “requires substantial time,” and Cohen’s lawyers say he doesn’t have enough of it. He is scheduled to report to prison May 6. The attorneys suggest Democrats in Congress should help Cohen gain another postponement.

Democrats in Congress should help Cohen gain another postponement, maybe even a lighter sentence, the attorneys suggested.

Of course, Democrats in Congress are too savvy to believe if Cohen had anything of value, he would not have already revealed it. And surely they are beginning to understand the more spotlight they give Cohen the greater chance they are actually playing to the president’s advantage.

No, this is just another of Cohen’s cheap, sordid tricks to play politics for his own benefit.

Congressional Democrats should respond that they welcome any information Cohen has — but won’t trade their influence with prosecutors and, perhaps, judges in exchange for it.

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