A lawyer who previously advised Michael Cohen has testified that the former Trump attorney claimed ex-President Donald Trump was not involved in a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Robert Costello, a former federal prosecutor, provided this information during his testimony before the House Weaponization Committee on Capitol Hill.
Costello explained that Cohen took care of the arrangement himself and that Trump had no part in it. He mentioned that he was able to discuss his interactions with Cohen because he waived attorney-client privilege and the duty of loyalty to a client.
Costello also testified before the grand jury for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against Trump. This testimony took place in March 2023, just before Trump was indicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During his testimony, Costello recalled a conversation with Cohen in 2018, where he described Cohen as being 'suicidal and desperately looking for an escape route' after being indicted. Costello advised Cohen that the U.S. Attorney's Office considered him a potential source of evidence in a prosecution against Trump.
Costello emphasized to Cohen that he was not the primary target of the investigation but could be used as a means to reach Trump. He warned Cohen that the U.S. Attorney's Office would not hesitate to pursue him if it led to incriminating evidence against the former president.
