The legal side of the Stormy Daniels case has kicked into high gear following yesterday’s 60 Minutes interview. Today both sides are ramping up their court filings with Stormy Daniels’ attorney Michael Avenatti suing Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, for defamation. This lawsuit is especially significant because if Michael Cohen is deposed, we could find out where the money came from and it could mean Trump may have to appear in court under oath.
Updates from earlier today:
“The lawsuit now alleges that Cohen defamed Daniels by suggesting that she is lying about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump. The suit specifically points to a statement Cohen made last month: “Just because something isn’t true doesn’t mean that it can’t cause you harm or damage,” he said.
Cohen has also said he used “own personal funds to facilitate a payment of $130,000” to Daniels for her silence on the matter weeks before the 2016 presidential election. “
BREAKING: Stormy Daniels sues President Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen for defamation.
Stormy's Attorney Michael Avenatti says Michael Cohen denied the affair happened and called Stormy "a liar." Watch him discuss the latest developments on @DeadlineWH. pic.twitter.com/5EpyOEqtxh
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 26, 2018
This lawsuit was filed after Avenatti threw this warning shot out on Twitter.
There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Cohen will be taking an “extended vacation” when this is all said and done. And it will not be on my client’s dime. His lies to the American people will be laid bare. #basta
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2018
Also Monday, Cohen sent a cease-and-desist letter to Daniels following her 60 minutes interview. The adult film star alleges that Cohen himself had something to do with a threat made against in 2011.
Not long after the magazine story was killed, Stormy Daniels says she was threatened by a man who approached her in Las Vegas. “A guy walked up on me and said to me, ‘leave Trump alone. Forget the story.’” pic.twitter.com/JMskKQiYCi
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) March 25, 2018
Cohen states he “had absolutely nothing to do with any such person or incident” and is asking that she refrain from making any defamatory statements and apologize.
“The letter demands that Daniels and her attorney, Michael Avenatti, not make “further false and defamatory statements” and that they retract and apologize for their 60 Minutes account.”
https://twitter.com/emilyjanefox/status/978111031351431168
Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen demands apology from Stormy Daniels in cease-and-desist letter https://t.co/bENe2CL8Dc
— Vox (@voxdotcom) March 26, 2018