Wednesday Judge Kimba Wood heard arguments from lawyers about whether it was proper for Stormy’s lawyer to participate in Michael Cohen’s federal case. The judge was not kind to Michael Avenatti, Stormy’s lawyer, slapping him back to earth, and ordering him to stop his ‘publicity tour.’
According to Newsweek:
The attorney representing adult film actor Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen would have to end his “publicity tour” should he be allowed to participate in the federal case Cohen is currently facing, the judge overseeing the matter said during a hearing Wednesday morning.
Judge Kimba Wood heard arguments from Daniels’s attorney, Michael Avenatti, as well as representatives for Cohen and Trump, over whether or not Avenatti would be allowed to participate in the case. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has also filed suit against Cohen, claiming a non-disclosure agreement she struck with Trump is null and void.
Avenatti would have to stop claiming Cohen is guilty publicly so as not to taint a potential jury, Wood said. “I say publicity tour not in a derogatory sense,” she said. “You’re entitled to publicity, I can’t stop you. Unless you’re participating in a matter before me.”
Wood also noted that Avenatti could potentially affect whether or not Cohen is given a fair trial if the case ever gets far. “I want you to participate, or not be in the matter at all,” Wood said. “I don’t want you to be in some sort of limbo where you’re able to denigrate Mr. Cohen.”
Woods says Avenatti wouldn’t be able to continue his publicity tour if he formally intervenes. “I say publicity tour not in a derogatory sense. You’re entitled to publicity, I can’t stop you. Unless you’re participating in a matter before me.”
— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) May 30, 2018
Wood on Avenatti: “I want you to participate, or not be in the matter at all.
I don’t want you to be in some sort of limbo where you’re able to denigrate Mr. Cohen…This conduct is inimical to eventually giving Mr. Cohen a fair trial (if that happens).”— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) May 30, 2018
NEW: Michael Avenatti has withdrawn his motion to appear before a NY federal court in the Michael Cohen case.
— David P Gelles (@gelles) May 30, 2018
Avenatti in response immediately withdrew his motion to participate but still could file it again in the future. It has been well known Mr. Avenatti likes the spotlight, and the judge called him out on that today.
