Witness might problem Michael Cohen claims in Trump case

Robert Costello, a witness, has been requested to look earlier than the grand jury on the request of Donald Trump’s legal professionals as a result of he might have data that calls into query occasions as described by Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer.

Former US President Donald Trump greets supporters accompanied by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds throughout a marketing campaign rally, in Davenport, Iowa, US March 13, 2023. (Reuters picture)

By Reuters: A lawyer known as to testify behind closed-doors in New York on Monday might problem the claims of a key witness earlier than a grand jury decides whether or not to cost former President Donald Trump over hush cash paid to a porn star, a supply acquainted with the matter advised Reuters on Sunday.

Robert Costello has been requested to look earlier than the grand jury on the request of Trump’s legal professionals as a result of he might have data that calls into query occasions as described by Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, the supply mentioned.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s workplace has requested Cohen to be obtainable on Monday as a rebuttal witness, if wanted, in line with a second supply, who didn’t need to be named. Cohen testified earlier than the grand jury twice final week.

Trump, whose supporters stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 to overturn his 2020 election defeat, mentioned Saturday that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and known as for protests. He mentioned “illegal leaks” indicated an arrest on Tuesday, however offered no proof, and his spokesman mentioned Trump had not been notified of any impending arrest.

READ | Trump says he expects to be arrested, requires protest

The Manhattan District Attorney’s workplace earlier this month invited Trump to testify earlier than the grand jury probing the fee, which authorized specialists mentioned was an indication that an indictment might be shut. Trump declined the provide, an individual acquainted with the matter mentioned.

No US president, whereas in workplace or afterward, has confronted legal expenses. Trump, who’s in search of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has mentioned he would proceed campaigning even when charged with a criminal offense.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s workplace has been investigating a $130,000 hush fee made by Cohen, Trump’s estranged former fixer, to porn star Stormy Daniels throughout the 2016 presidential marketing campaign.

Sources have mentioned Bragg’s workplace has been presenting proof to a grand jury in regards to the fee that was made to Daniels in return for her silence about an affair she mentioned she had with Trump a decade earlier.

The grand jury will decide whether or not there’s adequate proof to formally cost Trump with a criminal offense. The proceedings usually are not public.

Costello’s testimony is anticipated to give attention to the fee to Stormy Daniels and the way that took place, the primary supply mentioned. Costello is best identified for his illustration of former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

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Cohen consulted with Costello years in the past, and was given a retainer settlement however by no means signed it, the primary supply mentioned. Cohen additionally waived attorney-client privilege in 2019, the supply added.

‘WITCH HUNT’

Cohen was sentenced to jail in 2018 after pleading responsible in federal courtroom to marketing campaign finance violations tied to hush cash funds to Daniels and one other girl throughout Trump’s 2016 presidential marketing campaign, amongst different crimes.

Trump has denied the affair with Daniels occurred and known as the investigation by Bragg a political persecution.

“THE WITCH HUNT NEVER ENDS, BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!” Trump posted on social media on Sunday.

Talk of a Trump arrest might be boosting his assist, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a fellow Republican, advised CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.

“It’s building a lot of sympathy for the former president,” mentioned Sununu, a relative reasonable, who’s contemplating his personal presidential run and gave the impression to be attempting to keep away from alienating Trump supporters.

Asked if Trump had particular duty to make sure protests didn’t flip violent, Sununu mentioned “well, sure” however shortly added this was a broader societal duty, saying “you can’t just put it on the former president.”

READ | I’M BACK: Trump returns to Facebook, YouTube after two-year ban

Trump’s former nationwide safety adviser HR McMaster and former financial adviser Gary Cohn on Sunday each urged Trump supporters to reply peacefully to any developments this week.

Prominent Republicans, resembling Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence and House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, instructed a potential prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, could be politically motivated.

Trump additionally took to social media on Sunday to accuse President Joe Biden of enjoying a job within the Manhattan probe however supplied no proof. The White House didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

A spokesperson for Bragg declined to touch upon Sunday.

Legal specialists have mentioned if Trump have been indicted that any trial might nonetheless be greater than a yr away, presumably coinciding with the ultimate months of the 2024 presidential marketing campaign.

READ | New chief decide in Washington to supervise secret Trump proceedings

Published On:

Mar 20, 2023