Michael Cohen gets 36 months in prison for Trump hush-money scheme

President Donald Trump's former longtime personal attorney was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison over his involvement in the hush-money scheme that Cohen alleges was directed by the president.

Cohen made payouts to at least two women who said they had affairs with Trump during the early years of his marriage to First Lady Melania Trump.

In August, Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty to charges brought by Trump-appointed federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. He has admitted that on the eve of the election he paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 and helped arrange a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

As part of his plea, Cohen also admitted to tax fraud and other illegal business schemes.

He faces another sentencing in a case brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who said Cohen cooperated with his investigation into Russian meddling and is not asking for additional prison time.