The defamation lawsuit that Stormy Daniels’ attorney Michael Avenatti promised to file against President Trump became a reality today as the adult film star struck back at her former paramour.
Daniels, who goes by Stephanie Clifford off-screen, has been embroiled in a lawsuit to have a $130,000 non-disclosure agreement negotiated by Trump attorney Michael Cohen declared null and void so she can freely recount the details of her 2006 affair with Trump after his wife Melania’s pregnancy.
Avenatti announced the new lawsuit in a post on Twitter.
Moments ago, we filed this lawsuit against Mr. Trump for his recent irresponsible and defamatory statements about my client @stormydaniels. He is well aware of what transpired and his complicity. We fully intend on bringing it to light. #buckleup #bastahttps://t.co/ZuBjI1EY9z
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 30, 2018
The defamation claim comes as Daniels’ prior suit was put on hold for 90 days by the judge in that trial because of the likelihood of Michael Cohen’s criminal indictment after the FBI seized his files, computers, and 16 mobile phones in a surprise raid.
If Cohen is indeed indicted, he has indicated that he will plead the Fifth Amendment in any questioning in Daniels’ civil suit, prompting the judge’s postponement of that proceeding.
The new defamation suit will keep Daniels in the headlines while Avenatti appeals the judge’s ruling. The defamation claim is based on this tweet from Trump about Daniels’ unveiling of a police artist sketch of the man she says threatened her in a Las Vegas parking lot and told her, “Leave Trump alone.”
A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)! https://t.co/9Is7mHBFda
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018
Trump linked to a tweet from one of his followers showing the sketch that Daniels says is of the man who threatened her juxtaposed with a shot of Daniels and her ex-husband and noting the resemblance.
In his legal filing Avenatti says that Trump’s defamation of Daniels stems from his language painting her as a liar and a criminal since he suggests she has fabricated evidence of a non-existent crime, a criminal offense in and of itself.
The filing also claims that Trump’s tweet exposed the actress to “hatred, contempt, ridicule, and shame, and discouraged others from associating or dealing with her.”
Avenatti is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, legal fees, and is demanding a trial by jury.
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