An lawyer could also be known as earlier than a Manhattan grand jury on Monday to discredit star witness Michael Cohen within the investigation into former President Donald Trump, two sources confirmed to CBS Information.
Cohen, Trump’s former private lawyer, has been requested to be out there if wanted earlier than the grand jury, which is investigating an alleged “hush cash” cost Cohen made to grownup movie star Stormy Daniels forward of the 2016 election, in accordance with two individuals acquainted with the matter.
Cohen has been requested to be in shut proximity to the grand jury, which meets in Decrease Manhattan, in case he is wanted to “rebut” one other witness anticipated to testify Monday.
Two sources informed CBS Information that lawyer Robert Costello, who labored as a authorized adviser to Cohen earlier than they’d a falling out, might seem earlier than the grand jury to discredit Cohen, a key witness within the investigation into Trump. Costello has been requested to seem by Trump’s attorneys, sources mentioned, but it surely’s unclear if he’ll truly be known as.
Costello’s attainable look was first reported by The New York Times.
Trump posted on social media on Saturday that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday by Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg. He didn’t submit any particulars about what he could possibly be charged with, however Bragg’s workplace has been conducting an investigation into the $130,000 Cohen paid Daniels forward of the 2016 election. The president additionally known as on his followers to “PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!” within the occasion of his arrest.
Earlier this month Trump was invited to testify earlier than the grand jury, a step that usually alerts an upcoming indictment. Joe Tacopina, an lawyer for Trump, mentioned the previous president won’t settle for the invitation to seem.
Trump’s lawyer on Saturday mentioned his social media feedback had been associated to information studies. “Since this can be a political prosecution, the District Legal professional’s workplace has engaged in a observe of leaking the whole lot to the press, fairly than speaking with President Trump’s attorneys as could be carried out in a standard case,” Trump lawyer Susan Necheles mentioned in a textual content to CBS Information.
Bragg has not commented on Trump’s social media posts. However in a memo to employees on Saturday, Bragg warned of potential threats and mentioned “your security is our high precedence.”
“We now have full confidence in our excellent safety employees and investigators, together with our nice OCA and NYPD colleagues, and can proceed to coordinate with all of them,” Bragg mentioned in a memo. “We don’t tolerate makes an attempt to intimidate our workplace or threaten the rule of legislation in New York. Our legislation enforcement companions will be certain that any particular or credible threats towards the workplace shall be totally investigated and that the correct safeguards are in place so all 1,600 of us have a safe work surroundings.”
Cohen, a central determine in Bragg’s investigation, testified before the grand jury final week. He reported to prison in May 2019 on federal expenses associated to the payout in addition to expenses of tax evasion and mendacity to Congress.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, together with ever having a sexual relationship with Daniels. He has known as the case “a political Witch-Hunt” and an “outdated, and rebuked case, which has been rejected by each prosecutor’s workplace.”
Caroline Linton contributed to this report.