NEW YORK _ A longtime business partner of Michael D. Cohen, the personal lawyer of President Donald Trump, has pleaded guilty to tax evasion in a deal that allows him to dodge prison time, indicating that he is cooperating with prosecutors.
Evgeny Freidman, a taxi operator who allegedly owed some $5 million in back taxes, entered into the surprise plea deal in Albany on Tuesday.
His lawyer, Patrick Egan, said he was satisfied with the guilty plea. Freidman _ the so-called Taxi King of New York who operated taxis for Cohen's family and others _ will serve five years' probation for evading $50,000 in taxes.
Egan declined to comment on whether his client was cooperating with federal prosecutors in Manhattan who are investigating Cohen's financial dealings.
