Trump lawyer says he’ll take the Fifth in porn actress case
President Donald Trump’s personal attorney said Wednesday he will assert his constitutional right against self-incrimination in a civil case brought by a porn actress who said she had an affair with Trump.
Michael Cohen has been asking a federal judge in
Los Angeles to delay Stormy Daniels’ case after FBI agents raided his home and office earlier this month, seeking records about a nondisclosure agreement Daniels signed days before the 2016 presidential election.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and has sued to invalidate the confidentiality agreement that prevents her discussing it. She’s also suing Cohen, alleging defamation.
Cohen sought to delay the civil case 90 days after the raid, arguing that his Fifth Amendment right against selfincrimination may be jeopardized if legal proceedings aren’t stayed.
But last week, U.S. District Judge S. James Otero said there were “gaping holes” in Cohen’s request for a delay.
Cohen’s lawyer argued in court last week that because the criminal investigation overlaps with issues in the lawsuit, his client’s right against self-incrimination could be adversely impacted.
Cohen will assert his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination “in connection with all proceedings in this case,” he wrote.