Michael Cohen’s former lawyer likely to testify in Manhattan Trump inquiry: Report
Ryan King
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A lawyer who once worked for Michael Cohen is reportedly expected to testify Monday before a Manhattan grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump.
Robert Costello is expected to deliver testimony following a request from Trump’s lawyers as prosecutors weigh possible criminal charges against the former president, the Wall Street Journal reported. Costello gave advice to Cohn during an FBI raid on his home and office back in 2018. Prosecutors have also requested Cohen remain available Monday.
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Costello’s testimony is significant because he previously recounted that Cohen told him that he paid adult film star Stormy Daniels in order to protect Melania Trump and that Cohen sought a pardon from Trump, per the Wall Street Journal. Cohen has already waived the attorney-client privilege with Costello.
Trump suggested Saturday that he “will be arrested on Tuesday of next week,” but a New York Times report cast doubt on that, noting that at least one more witness was set to deliver testimony before the grand jury.
Trump, himself was invited to deliver testimony before the panel but does not appear to have taken up the offer, according to NPR.
Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, has already made multiple appearances before prosecutors and the grand jury, including last Wednesday, when he testified before the panel, CNN reported.
Prosecutors at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have been zeroing in on the alleged $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 cycle as well as related falsification of business records. Daniels accused Trump of having an affair with her nearly a decade prior.
Cohen pleaded guilty to charges related to the payment back in 2018, including a campaign finance violation. Cohen had another lawyer represent him on that agreement.
Last week, a report emerged that New York law enforcement was preparing for fallout if Trump were to get indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. An indictment of Trump will mark the first time in United States history that a former president was charged with a crime. Trump has vehemently denied wrongdoing and decried the Manhattan DA’s investigation as a witch hunt.
“There was no ‘misdemeanor’ here either. There was no crime, period. All other of the many Democrat law enforcement officers that looked at it, took a pass. So did Cy Vance, and so did Bragg. But then, much later, he changed his mind. Gee, I wonder why? Prosecutorial Misconduct and Interference with an Election. Investigate the Investigators!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump urged his followers on Saturday to “protest, take our nation back.” In response, the district attorney’s office reportedly told staffers that it was taking potential threats seriously.
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“We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” an email sent to staff said, per the report.
The Washington Examiner contacted the Manhattan DA and Costello for comment.