The New York lawyer who represented Osama bin Laden's son-in-law has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of impeding the IRS.
Stanley Cohen, who was charged with underreporting cash payments from clients, says the trial and appeals would have been a "tremendous" financial burden. He could face up to 18 months in prison when he's sentenced on August 21. He will remain free until then.
Cohen pleaded guilty today in federal court in Syracuse. Federal prosecutors say he didn't report cash payments totaling USD 35,000 that he received in 2008 and 2010.
Cohen says authorities filed the charges in retaliation for his criminal defense work that has included representing people charged with terrorism.
Cohen represented bin Laden's son-in-law, who was convicted March 26 in Manhattan for his role as al-Qaida's chief spokesman.
