Posted on 03/23/2023 9:31:12 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Robert Costello, a former legal advisor to Michael Cohen, appeared before the grand jury on Monday as a surprise witness and, according to Trump, had evidence that was both conclusive and irrefutable that would clear him of any wrongdoing. Costello’s testimony included information damaging to Bragg’s efforts to prosecute Trump.
One piece of evidence is an alleged letter from an attorney representing Michael Cohen, the disgraced former lawyer for Donald Trump, stating that Cohen acted independently in paying Stormy Daniels in 2016. This new evidence undermines the case against the former president brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and could explain the abrupt cancelation of the Wednesday session of the grand jury.
The letter, sent in 2018 by Cohen’s lawyer Stephen Ryan to the Federal Election Commission, says that Trump had no involvement in the payment made to Daniels to keep her quiet about their alleged affair. Furthermore, it states that the payment was not reimbursed by Trump.
“I am writing on behalf of my client, Michael D. Cohen, in response to your letter dated January 30, 2018. Specifically, this letter responds to the complaint numbered MUR 7313, which was filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by Common Cause and Paul S. Ryan,” Cohen’s lawyer wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
In a private transaction in 2016, before the U.S. presidential election, Mr. Cohen used his own personal funds to facilitate a payment of $130,000 to Ms. Stephanie Clifford [Stormy Daniels]. Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed Mr. Cohen for the payment directly or indirectly.
Contrary to the allegations in the complaint, which are entirely speculative, neither Mr. Cohen nor Essential Consultants LLC made any in-kind contributions to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., or any other presidential campaign committee. Mr. Cohen has not been a government employee during any of the relevant time period. The payment in question does not constitute a campaign contribution or expenditure and, therefore, the FEC lacks jurisdiction over this matter. The complainants have not and cannot present any evidence to the contrary. Accordingly, the complaint should be dismissed.
BTW, this letter the letter WAS NOT presented to the grand jury. So, they might still indict based only on Bragg’s one-sided presentation of the evidence.
But whether it will have an effect on Bragg’s determination on whether to pursue an indictment remains to be seen.
This is because the letter could influence Bragg’s evaluation of Cohen’s credibility issues (Yeah, I know, I’m dreaming ), even if grand jurors are unaware of its contents.
This is clearly a white supremacist plot organized by Trump to embarrass and discredit a person of color.
Cohen is a liar with an axe to grind against Trump.
This whole case is about to fall apart.
I still highly doubt Bragg will go forward. But the goals will have been achieved.
Bragg will have his publicity
Trump’s name again dragged through the mud
Gleeful leftist media cheerfully discussing “Trump in prison” to its low IQ viewers.
Cohen is nothing but a lyin’, sleazy shyster lawyer with a criminal record. Somebody needs to try to leak that information to Chubby Cheeks’ “grand jury”.
I think there are a lot of shysters in Florida.
Aw, gee. They really had him this time. Each time something like this comes up. the words “Roadrunner, the coyote’s after you. Roadrunner, if he catches you you’re through” keep running through my mind. Then I spend the rest of the day trying to remember the rest of the lyrics.
But whether it will have an effect on Bragg’s determination on whether to pursue an indictment remains to be seen.
If Bragg appears before Jim Jordan he will slam him with this.
Lets see how the MSM covers that if it happens
RE: If Bragg appears before Jim Jordan he will slam him with this.
Bragg openly states that he WILL NOT appear before Jim Jordan. Let’s see where this goes.
Edit to add, if Republicans have the courage of their convictions ( HA HA ), they would stand UNITED with Jim Jordan.
Now they are going after him with the “classified documents” story again. Heard a clip on my way out the door this morning, “Devastating and damning for Donald Trump!”
Next week, on Finding Bigfoot!…
“So, they might still indict”
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Yes, its still entirely possible. Evidence, credibility and fairness only sway some people. The rest are driven by emotion. So we’ll see.
It is hard to believe that Briggs will not be able to get a Manhattan grand jury full of liberal democrats to vote to indict Trump. They were probably ready to indict Trump before they heard any evidence.
The only evidence they hear is what Briggs chooses to present to them. The only witnesses are ones he called, there is no cross examination, and no right of rebuttal by the accused. He even tells the grand jury what the law is. That is why there is an old saying that a DA can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich.
Yeah, the hughes misdemeanor case LOL. What a farce
Bragg openly states that he WILL NOT appear before Jim Jordan. Let’s see where this goes.
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What’s the penalty if he refuses? Prolly nothing.
I guess we’re supposed to believe that the DA didn’t have access to five year old Federal Election Commission records? How convenient.
RE: What’s the penalty if he refuses? Prolly nothing.
You’re right.Congress has no teeth, only bark.
What happened to Louise Lerner and Eric Holder for instance? Both were charged with contempt of Congress. NOTHING.
Try getting out of jail if you are chargedd with contempt of court.
Bombshell this Bombshell that…Ugh. I have resigned to the fact that the country has fallen so much I don’t think it can be restored. The repubs that are elected fold in short order with a few exceptions. Get elected and that whiff of money under their nose and they fall in line. I don’t know why Trump would bother. He won his second term and the deep state powers that be refused to seat him. Why would they seat him again? Nothing has changed since. This is how I see it.
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