Cohen Acted as ‘Special Counsel to Donald J. Trump’ Attorney Says
President Donald Trump’s personal attorney used his official Trump Organization email to make the arrangements to pay adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 election. NBC News reports Michael Cohen “also regularly used the same email account during 2016 negotiations with the actress — whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford — before she signed a nondisclosure agreement, a source familiar with the discussions told NBC News.”
“Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly,” Cohen had said in a statement.
He also said he used his “personal funds to facilitate a payment” to Stormy Daniels, and reportedly complained that he had not been reimbursed in a timely manner.
“We smell smoke,” Clifford’s attorney, Michael Avenatti, told NBC News. “I think this document seriously calls into question the prior representation of Mr. Cohen and the White House relating to the source of the monies paid to Ms. Clifford in an effort to silence her.”
Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels, is suing President Trump for the right to break the non-disclosure agreement. Her attorneys say the agreement is invalid as Trump never signed it.
“Clifford’s attorney at the time addressed correspondence to Cohen in his capacity at the Trump Organization and as ‘Special Counsel to Donald J. Trump,'” NBC’s source said.
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Image of Michael Cohen via screenshot
Image of Stormy Daniels by Lukeisback.com via Wikimedia and a CC license