CNN's John Sutter says he believes the charges against Michael Cohen are related to campaign finance laws. He thinks it could be a defense for Mr. Trump, saying I went into my own bank account and paid this individual off. And I didn't try to take a tax right off on it or a business expense on it," Sutter said. "I just took it as my own loss and didn't report the law" Professor Katzenberg: Pain hush money is not typically a crime; if you're running for office, it's not necessarily a crime either. The judge could have made a different decision here, obviously did not.