NEW YORK, United States: A lawyer who negotiated payments from Donald Trump to porn star Stormy Daniels was criticized on Thursday by the former US president’s lawyers, who said his activities amounted to “extortion”.
President Trump, 77, used his business background to reimburse attorney Michael Cohen for $130,000 he paid to porn star Stormy Daniels just days before he was elected in the 2016 election.
Court resumed on Thursday after a recess on Wednesday, with prosecutors asking Judge Juan Merchan to fine the Republican presidential candidate for violating an order he had put in place to protect court participants.
The judge, who held Trump in contempt on Tuesday and fined him $9,000 for violating the gag order, said he would rule after hearing arguments from both sides.
Daniels’ former attorney, Keith Davidson, then took the stand and continued his testimony as Trump sat in the defence chair in a dark blue suit and bright yellow tie.
After prosecutors finished their questioning, Trump’s lawyers began cross-examining Davidson, who also represented another woman, Karen McDougal, who claimed to have had a year-long affair with Mr. Trump.
David Packer, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified last week that he bought the McDougal story for $150,000 and then buried it, a move known in the industry as a “catch and kill.”
Emile Bove, one of Trump’s lawyers, began the questioning by asking Davidson if he knew about extortion laws, but the question quickly became heated.
“When you were negotiating on behalf of McDougal and Daniels one of your concerns was staying on the right side of the law dealing with extortion,” Bove said.
“I suppose so,” Davidson replied. “I did everything I could to make sure my activities were lawful.”
Bove asked Davidson about his involvement in other cases involving celebrities and he acknowledged he was probed by federal and state investigators for alleged extortion of Hulk Hogan. He did not end up facing any charges.
Davidson said he represented clients who had possession of sex tape of Hulk Hogan.
“I made a monetary demand,” said Davidson, which would allow the retired professional wrestler to acquire the tapes.
“I made no threats to anyone,” he said.
Daniels earlier issued a statement denying ever having an “affair” with Trump or receiving hush money from him.
On Tuesday Judge Merchan fined Trump $9,000 and warned him he could face jail for continuing to lash out on social media.
Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, complained that President Biden had spoken publicly about the trial but his client — Biden’s likely November election rival — “can’t respond.”
The judge said that nothing in the gag order barred Trump from saying in response to Biden.
