Embattled attorney Michael Cohen has dropped a pair of much-touted libel suits against BuzzFeed and the private investigation firm Fusion GPS over publication of the so-called dossier detailing alleged ties between President Donald Trump and Russia.
Cohen abandoned the suits late Wednesday as he continues to fight to recover documents and electronic files seized from his home, office and hotel room last week by federal authorities as part of what appears to be a broad criminal investigation into his conduct.
"The decision to voluntarily discontinue these cases was a difficult one," Cohen's attorney David Schwartz said. "We believe the defendants defamed my client, and vindicating Mr. Cohen’s rights was — and still remains — important. But given the events that have unfolded, and the time, attention, and resources needed to prosecute these matters, we have dismissed the matters, despite their merits."
The dossier claims that Cohen met with Russian operatives somewhere in Europe, including Prague, to attend a meeting to “clean up the mess” created by public disclosures of other Trump associates’ reported ties to Russia.
So why would Cohen suddenly drop these lawsuits?
A couple of reasons spring to mind.
For one Cohen is under criminal investigation, and being sued for defamation by the attorney for Stormy Daniels.
That means he would be involved in at least three legal battles at the same time, one of which might see him face time in a federal prison.
That is a lot of money be spreading around. Even if he is rich, there is a limit.
The other reason is discovery in the Fusion GPS and Buzzfeed cases.
Any evidence that Cohen has to reveal to battle them in court is likely going to then be made available to the media, and will definitely be available to the Mueller team.
And as we have witnessed before team Mueller are known for jumping on newly revealed information quickly and decisively.
In response to all of this Cohen might not remain Trump's personal attorney for long.
In fact one of Trump's past legal representatives has reportedly told Trump he cannot Trust Michael Cohen.
Courtesy of Slate:
One of President Donald Trump’s longtime legal advisers said he warned the president in a phone call Friday that Michael Cohen, Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer and close friend, would turn against the president and cooperate with federal prosecutors if faced with criminal charges.
Mr. Goldberg said he cautioned the president not to trust Mr. Cohen. On a scale of 100 to 1, where 100 is fully protecting the president, Mr. Cohen “isn’t even a 1,” he said he told Mr. Trump…. In the call, Mr. Goldberg [-] said he told the president Mr. Cohen could even agree to wear a wire and try to record conversations with Mr. Trump. “You have to be alert,” Mr. Goldberg said he told the president. “I don’t care what Michael says.”
Of course IF Trump fires Cohen that would then give him less reason to go out on a limb to protect his former boss.
You know it is almost as if Trump is being outmaneuvered on all sides.
Source https://ift.tt/2K1twSg
