Trump’s personal attorney, close friend, and bagman Michael Cohen is falling from grace at a speed stunning even by Trumpian standards.
Last week, Cohen’s office in Trump Tower was raided by the FBI in a bombshell move that allowed investigators to get their hands on numerous documents, some of which reportedly pertained to the $130,000 in hush money Cohen paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about her alleged fair with Trump. Some have speculated that the payment constituted a campaign finance violation, which could explain why it’s of interest to investigators.
Now, it looks like the walls are closing in even faster on Mr. Cohen. CNN‘s Manu Raju reported that Cohen’s lawyer Brent Blakely has requested for a delay in the lawsuit Stormy Daniels has brought against Cohen. Daniels is accusing Cohen of defamation.
Blakely’s request for a postponement was grounded in his shocking belief that Cohen could be indicted at some point in the next 90 days. He contended that proceeding with the Daniels case could compromise Cohen’s Fifth Amendment rights when the indictments hit.
Blakely cited Michael Avenatti, Daniels’s lawyer, who has been saying for weeks now that Cohen is headed for deep legal trouble.
Michael Cohen lawyer Brent Blakely asking for delay in Stormy lawsuit against Cohen because, he said, Cohen could be indicted within 90 days. "That's what @MichaelAvenatti is saying," Blakely told court. The search warrant of Cohen property, Blakely said, references $130K payment
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) April 20, 2018
The federal judge wasn’t immediately impressed by Blakely’s request, stating that it had some “gaping holes” in it, according to Reuters. The judge stated that he would need some time to consider the possible postponement.
Very pleased with today’s hearing. Judge Otero was his normal self – smartest guy in the room, diligent, respectful. Took the matter under submission. I think he liked our arguments and we had the better presentation. We shall see. #searchforthetruth #basta
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 20, 2018
Always a bad sign when the judge tells you that your motion has “gaping holes in it,” as the judge told the attys for MC and DJT this AM. I don’t know why they continue to hide what they know about the FBI raids. Time to come clean and let the chips fall where they may. #basta
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 20, 2018
Whether or not Cohen will be indicted is yet to be seen, but the smart money increasingly seems to be on “yes.” The investigators who raided his Trump Tower offices had to clear a high barrier in order to demonstrate they had probable cause, which means they most likely already have a mountain of evidence on the professional fixer. Cohen is a man who has evaded the law his entire career, and at last, it seems that justice is catching up to him. When it does, you can be sure he will flip on Trump to save his own slimy skin.
