Washington, Feb 14: United States President Donald Trump's long-time personal attorney Michael Cohen accepted paying US $130,000 to porn star Stephanie Clifford in 2016, before the presidential elections.

The admission was made by him while speaking to the New York Times. He, however, denied revealing the purpose of the payment.

The transaction was done via his personal account, Cohen claimed, clarifying that neither the Trump Organisation nor the Trump campaign reimbursed him.

The controversy involving Trump and Clifford erupted in October 2016, when US media reports alleged a sexual relation between the duo dating back to 2006.

Reports claimed that Trump's campaign team allegedly paid Clafford to keep quiet — a charge which both of them have denied.

In 2006, Trump was a private citizen. His wife Melania had given birth to Trump's youngest son few months ago.

Clifford, 38, who goes by the stage name of Stormy Daniels, has so far remained silent on her alleged relationship with the President, possibly due to a secrecy agreement inked with Trump's attorney in 2016.

However, an interview published last month by In Touch magazine with Clifford - which was conducted in 2011 - reported her as admitting to her sexual ties with the billionaire real-estate mogul.

Clifford reportedly said she first had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, when they met at a celebrity golf tournament. The two of them were in touch throughout the year "either in person or through the phone", the magazine reported her as saying.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2018 06:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).