Former President Donald Trump filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against his former attorney Michael Cohen seeking over $500 million for “breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conversion, and breaches of contract.”
Cohen is currently a main witness in the criminal case against Trump brought forward by Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg, in which Trump faces 34 felony charges in the indictment.
Trump”s lawsuit alleges that Cohen violated attorney-client privilege by publicly disclosing confidential information about his former client and additionally “spreading falsehoods about [Trump], likely to be embarrassing or detrimental, and partook in other misconduct in violation of New York Rules of Professional Conduct,” according to NBC News.
Trump attorney Alejandro Brito stated in the complained filed in the US District Court for Southern Florida that the former president has “suffered vast reputational harm as a direct result of Defendant”s breaches.”
Brito added that Cohen”s intent was “malicious&hellip and to wholly self-serving ends.”
The lawsuit accuses Cohen of “disparaging” Trump “through myriad public statements, including the publication of two books, a podcast series, and innumerable mainstream media appearances.”
“Defendant has engaged in such wrongful conduct over a period of time and, despite being demanded in writing to cease and desist such unacceptable actions, has instead in recent months increased the frequency and hostility of the illicit acts toward Plaintiff,” the complaint said.
Trump is asking for “compensatory, incidental, and punitive damages” to be determined at trial that would amount to over $500 million, according to the court filing. He is also seeking the profit or compensation Cohen made from his books, podcasts or other revenue streams linked to the former president.
Cohen”s lawyer, Lanny Davis, said in a statement that Trump “appears once again to be using and abusing the judicial system as a form of harassment and intimidation.”
“It appears he is terrified by his looming legal perils and is attempting to send a message to other potential witnesses who are cooperating with prosecutors against him,” Davis added. “Mr. Cohen will not be deterred and is confident that the suit will fail based on the facts and the law.”
(Israel National News’ North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)
