Michael Cohen Image by Getty Images

By Josh Nathan-Kazis August 29, 2017

Michael Cohen, longtime lawyer and faithful attack dog to President Trump, is at the center of a massive Washington Post scoop this afternoon. During Trump’s campaign, Cohen contacted top Kremlin officials to ask for help on a Trump development deal in Moscow. That is the first known direct contact between Trump and Putin aides during the campaign, and will likely attract the attention of special counsel Robert Mueller.

Cohen has long been seen as a possible key player in the Russia scandal in part because of his business and personal ties to the country. Here are some things you should know about him.

1. He’s Jewish.

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The name, in this instance, is not misleading.

2. He Collects Trump Apartments

He’s not just the president of the Donal Trump fan club. He’s also a client. Before Cohen worked for Trump, he was hoarding apartments in Trump properties.

3. He Tweeted A Picture Of His Daughter in Lingerie

She’s in college.

4. He Owes New York Almost $40K In Taxi Taxes

The New York Daily News reported that he owes five figures on a fleet of taxi medallions he owns.

5. He’ll “Grab You By The Neck” For Donald

In 2011, Cohen told ABC that he would go to the mat for Trump. “It means that if somebody does something Mr. Trump doesn’t like, I do everything in my power to resolve it to Mr. Trump’s benefit,” he said. “If you do something wrong, I’m going to come at you, grab you by the neck and I’m not going to let you go until I’m finished.”

Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at nathankazis@forward.com or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis.

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