The rise and fall of New York City’s ‘Taxi King’ who reportedly agreed to cooperate with the government as a potential witness against longtime business partner Michael Cohen

New York State Office of the Attorney General

Evgeny “Gene” Freidman was commonly referred to as New York City’s Taxi King — notably by the New York attorney general’s office and the law firms that have filed suit against him.

At one point, Freidman owned more than 800 taxi medallions, the metal plates on the hoods of yellow cabs that allow them to operate legally on the New York City streets. But in the past few years, Freidman has experienced a precipitous fall.

Freidman has reportedly agreeed to cooperate with the US government as a potential witness against his longtime business partner, Michael Cohen as part of a plea deal. The deal with prosecutors may have resounding implications not just for himself, but for special counsel Robert Mueller and his ongoing Russia probe.

Here’s a look at the rise and fall of New York City’s Taxi King.