Washington
CNN
—
Lawyer Robert Costello, as soon as a authorized adviser to Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, will seem Monday earlier than the New York grand jury investigating the previous President Donald Trump’s alleged position in a scheme to pay hush cash to grownup movie star Stormy Daniels.
Costello, who has represented Trump allies like Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, informed CNN he’s showing earlier than the grand jury on the request of Trump’s authorized staff.
CNN reported earlier Sunday that Trump’s authorized staff requested the Manhattan District Lawyer’s Workplace name a witness who has info relating to Cohen’s credibility, based on a supply conversant in the matter.
CNN has reached out to the DA’s workplace.
Whereas such a transfer is uncommon for grand jury proceedings, the supply informed CNN that Trump’s authorized staff believes the district lawyer is presenting the testimony for “optics.”
Cohen, a central determine within the grand jury investigation, mentioned earlier Sunday that he has been requested to be on the District Lawyer’s Workplace Monday as a rebuttal witness.
“Sure, I used to be requested to make myself accessible and to be on the DA’s workplace tomorrow as a rebuttal witness,” Cohen mentioned on MSNBC Sunday. However Cohen had mentioned he wasn’t certain if he’d be answering questions earlier than the grand jury or in an interview with the Manhattan DA.
“Whether or not it’s earlier than the grand jury or simply with them for an additional interview, once more, I’m undecided,” Cohen mentioned.
The last-minute grand jury motion comes after Trump mentioned Saturday he expects to be arrested in reference to the yearslong investigation right into a hush cash scheme involving Daniels, and referred to as on his supporters to protest any such transfer.
In a social media put up, Trump, referring to himself, mentioned the “main Republican candidate and former president of the USA might be arrested on Tuesday of subsequent week” – although he didn’t say why he expects to be arrested. His authorized staff mentioned after Trump’s put up that it had not obtained any notifications from prosecutors.
Any indictment of the previous president, who’s operating for the White Home once more in 2024, would mark a historic first and rapidly change the political dialog round an already divisive determine. Whereas Trump has an in depth historical past of civil litigation each earlier than and after taking workplace, a felony cost would characterize a dramatic escalation of his authorized woes as he works to recapture the White Home.