President Donald Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen reported to federal prison Monday in Orange County to begin his three-year sentence.

Cohen admitted last year to tax evasion, lying to Congress over Trump Tower construction plans in Russia, and campaign finance crimes connected to the 2016 presidential election. Cohen has said Trump directed him to pay two women during the campaign to keep them from coming forward about past affairs.

The president has denied those affairs.

After leaving his apartment, Cohen gave a brief remark to the press.

"I hope that when I rejoin my family and friends that the country will be a place without the xenophobia, injustice, and lies at the helm of our country,” said Cohen. “There still remains much to be told, and I look forward to the day that I can share the truth."

Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, said they had asked federal prosecutors to meet in March to talk about a sentence reduction. He told the Associated Press prosecutors declined.