Trump sues former lawyer Michael Cohen for $500m
Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, alleging breach of contract and seeking $500m (£400m) in damages. Trump claims that Cohen failed in his duty to act in his client’s best interests and made “improper, self-serving, and malicious statements” about Trump, his family, and his business.
The lawsuit comes amid increased attacks on Cohen by Trump allies and as Cohen is a key witness in an investigation into Trump.
Cohen worked for Trump for over a decade, but the two had a major falling out after the 2016 election. In 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison and fined, after pleading guilty to charges of fraud and campaign finance violations. Since leaving prison, Cohen has become a high-profile critic of Trump.
Cohen’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, said that the lawsuit would fail and accused Trump of using the judicial system to harass and intimidate Cohen.
Trump has been charged with falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up payments made to keep porn star Stormy Daniels quiet about an alleged affair. Trump pleaded not guilty. Cohen has admitted to facilitating a $130,000 payout to Ms Daniels as Trump’s fixer.