Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen has early prison release over coronavirus fears rescinded

Former lawyer completed mandatory 14-day quarantine at facility

President Donald Trump‘s former attorney, Michael Cohen, will not be released from prison early, despite previously being told he would leave due to coronavirus fears.

Last month, Cohen was granted an early release from the federal prison in Otisville, New York, with the remainder of his three-year sentence scheduled to be completed under home confinement.

At the time that he was granted home release, 14 inmates and seven staff members had tested positive for Covid-19 at the prison, according to CNN.

Cohen completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine that was implemented for those being released from prison during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, sources familiar with Cohen’s situation, told ABC on Friday that his early release has been rescinded.

The outlet also reported that other inmates who were scheduled to be released at the same time as the disgraced attorney, have also had their offers cancelled.

Cohen’s lawyer, Roger Adler, told CNBC: “I am disappointed that Michael was not released after the 14-day quarantine period.

“It is my understanding that compassionate release applications are being reviewed by the BOP central office,” he said. “It is my hope that following that review that Michael Cohen will be released either on a furlough, or transferred to home confinement.”

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to tax evasion and campaign finance violations, and reported to prison on 6 May 2019.

Mr Trump’s former attorney claimed he violated campaign finance rules under the direction of the president, “for the principal purpose of influencing” the 2016 presidential election. The president denies these claims.

The 53-year-old is currently serving a three-year sentence, that is due to end in November 2021.

The news comes a day after Charles Harder, a Trump organisation lawyer, warned Mr Cohen that he could be in legal trouble if he releases a promised tell-all book about his time working for the president.

When news broke about the book last month, actor Tom Arnold, who has stayed in contact with the ex lawyer, told the Daily Beast: “It’s like Jaws — you don’t see Jaws very much, but you hear the music, and for Trump he knows Michael is coming and Trump better hear the Jaws music.”

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, there are now upwards of one million people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached at least 64,203.