Michael Cohen will testify before the House Oversight Committee on February 27: NPR

Updated at 21:20 ET

Michael Cohen, a former lawyer and adviser to President Trump, is scheduled to visit Capitol Hill next week to give a highly anticipated testimony before the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

The hearing was originally scheduled for the beginning of the month, but was delayed after Cohen cited "threats" from the president and lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

"I am pleased to announce that Michael Cohen's public testimony before the Oversight Committee is back, despite the efforts of some to intimidate his family members and prevent him from appearing," said Wednesday President Elijah Cummings, D-Md. .

Trump and Giuliani suggested last month that Cohen's father-in-law should be investigated for alleged but unspecified crimes. the president and his attorney hinted that Cohen had invented stories about Trump to avoid being entangled in a separate potential case.

"He is afraid to testify against his father-in-law because the repercussions on this project will be much worse than those on lying here," Giuliani told CNN.

Trump responded to criticism that Cohen was threatened by saying that his former lawyer "was threatened by the truth".

After appearing publicly at Capitol Hill on Wednesday, February 27, Cohen is scheduled to appear in camera before the House Intelligence Committee the next day.

The public hearing will not include any questions relating to Russia's interference in the 2016 election, Cummings said. The monitoring committee should interview Cohen on payments made before polling day in 2016 to buy the silence of women who say they have had sex with Trump.

Trump acknowledged a payment to one of the women but denied the allegations of sexual relations. He also stated that he had done nothing wrong and that Cohen had pleaded guilty to acts that are not in fact against the law.

Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to financial crimes and campaign financing related to these payments. He also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress over the length of negotiations with the Russians for the construction of a Trump tower in Moscow.

In addition, Cohen's lawyers announced Wednesday the start of his jail term until May 6.

"Mr. Cohen has had a serious shoulder surgery and this extra time allows Mr. Cohen to continue his physical therapy," a statement said. "In addition, he will be able to prepare the testimony expected next week before congressional committees, which he welcomes."

In announcing Cohen's testimony, Cummings said the review committee would ask Trump's former lawyer to "describe his concerns about the president's actions since taking office."

Cummings also asked the White House and the Trump Organization to obtain documents related to the president's finances, and announced that he was considering that the committee investigate dozens of aspects of the company's finances. 39; administration.