To slow Daniels’ suit, lawyer must file statement

LOS ANGELES — U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer must declare in writing that his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination is jeopardized unless there’s a delay in legal proceedings in a lawsuit filed by porn actress Stormy Daniels, a federal judge said Friday.

Judge S. James Otero said at a hearing in Los Angeles that it was not enough for Michael Cohen’s attorney to file a statement on his client’s behalf, and he gave Cohen until Wednesday to do so himself.

Daniels’ lawsuit is aimed at dissolving a confidentiality agreement that prevents her from talking about an alleged affair with Trump.

Cohen sought to delay the civil case after FBI agents raided his office and residence, seeking records about the $130,000 US agreement that Daniels signed days before the 2016 presidential election.

After the raids, Cohen asked the judge to grant a stay for at least 90 days and argued that because the allegations in the lawsuit overlap with the criminal investigation, Cohen’s civil rights “may be adversely affected if this case proceeds.”

Daniels’ attorney, Michael Avenatti, objected to the requested delay and said he was pleased with the outcome of the hearing.

Avenatti said outside court it was “clear to me Michael Cohen and the president do not want to publicly state” that Cohen intends to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has offered to return the $130,000 so she can “set the record straight.”