Former US President Donald Trump's lawyer tried to present the "money" paid for silence", which are at the center of the criminal case against the billionaire, as simple extortion, calling into question the reputation of the lawyer connected to the deal in question, who, according to the lawyer of the Republican presidential candidate, was involved in other similar dirty deals with celebrities, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
The move by defense lawyer Emile Beauvais to cross-examine attorney Keith Davidson shows a strategy by Trump's legal team to discredit prosecution witnesses in the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president.
Trump is accused of trying to cover up the payment of "hush money" porn actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election. The billionaire has pleaded not guilty and denies allegations that he had sexual contact with Daniels.
After Davidson testified that, as Daniels' then-lawyer, he arranged the $130,000 payment with Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, Bove asked about Davidson's alleged efforts to extort money from Hulk Hogan in exchange for an incriminating sex tape scenes with the former professional wrestler.
He also asked Davidson about trying to trade compromising information with celebrities like Charlie Sheen and reality TV star Tila Tequila.
"You have a gift of speech to get what you want without resorting to extortion, don't you?" asked Bovet sarcastically.
Davidson denied ever engaging in extortion.
Trump's lawyers are likely to adopt a similar tactic with other expected prosecution witnesses, including Daniels herself, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and Cohen, who has already served prison time for his role in the affair, according to Reuters.
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