The lawsuit accuses Michael Cohen of violating a confidentiality agreement and “spreading untruths” about the former president.
Donald Trump has sued his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, seeking at least $500 million in damages, as the former US president ramps up attacks on his one-time loyal “fixer” after Cohen testified before the Manhattan grand jury indicting Trump.
The lawsuit charged Cohen with violating a confidentiality agreement he signed as a condition of his employment, violating ethical standards for lawyers, and “spreading untruths” about Trump “with malicious intent and for completely selfish purposes.”
The lawsuit, filed in Miami on Wednesday, offered a preview of arguments sure to be used in Trump’s defense against allegations that he falsified internal company records to conceal payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to cover claims of extramarital affairs. to silence sexual encounters.
Trump is not specifically suing Cohen for his grand jury testimony in the criminal case, but he cites it in support of an argument that his ex-lawyer sought to capitalize on his role through the publication of two books, a podcast series, and appearances in the media.
Cohen’s spokesman, attorney Lanny Davis, said the lawsuit will not hinder Cohen’s cooperation with prosecutors.
Trump again appears to be using and abusing the legal system as a form of harassment and harassment against Michael Cohen,” Davis said. “It appears he is terrified of his imminent legal dangers and is trying to send a message to other potential witnesses who are collaborating with prosecutors against him.”
The lawsuit is Trump’s latest attempt to use the legal system to go after his political enemies and is another example of the former president enlisting a once-loyal aide after their relationship imploded.
It comes as Cohen, who once said he would “do anything” to protect Trump, appears poised to become a star witness against him at a possible New York criminal trial over the charges unsealed last week. Trump, who plans to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former US president had been charged with a crime.
Prosecutors led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, have said Trump will not refund Cohen for $130,000 in hush money paid before the 2016 election to porn star Stormy Daniels, who said she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. had, covered up. Trump denies any such relationship.
Trump’s lawsuit alleged that Cohen falsely called Trump “racist” in the disbarred attorney’s 2020 book, Disloyal, and fabricated conversations with Trump from when he served as his attorney.
“The timing of Disloyal’s release, just ahead of the November 3, 2020 presidential election, suggests that (Cohen) intended to inappropriately disclose (Trump’s) confidential information when it would be most lucrative — and while Disloyal certainly of would be the most damaging reputational effect,” the lawsuit said.