Robert J. Costello, a former legal advisor to disgraced attorney Michael Cohen, is reportedly expected to testify Monday in front of a Manhattan grand jury that is investigating Donald Trump, discrediting Cohen’s own suspect testimony against the former president.

(Video Credit: CBS New York)

Costello will testify at the request of Trump’s attorneys as prosecutors weigh possible criminal charges against the former president, according to The Wall Street Journal. The former adviser gave advice to Cohen during an FBI raid on his home and office in 2018. Prosecutors have also requested Cohen remain available Monday as a rebuttal witness.

This development in the case has arisen after Trump announced he expects to be indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Tuesday and arrested. The former president has called for protests over political persecution by Democrats. The New York Times is casting doubt on his being arrested.

NewsNation is reporting that Costello spoke with Trump’s attorneys, claiming that he has “information that contradicted Cohen’s current statements and that could be exculpatory for Trump,” according to “a person familiar with the matter.”

“A Manhattan grand jury that is expected to vote soon on whether to indict Donald J. Trump may hear testimony Monday attacking the prosecution’s star witness, according to people with knowledge of the matter,” the New York Times reported.

Trump’s reaction on Truth Social celebrated the news: “JUST REPORTED THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT WITNESS TO GO BEFORE THE NEW YORK CITY GRAND JURY, A HIGHLY RESPECTED LAWYER WHO ONCE REPRESENTED CONVICTED FELON, JAILBIRD, AND SERIAL FAKE STORYTELLER AND LIAR, MICHAEL COHEN, WILL BE DOING SO TOMORROW AFTERNOON. THE INFORMATION HE WILL PRESENT WILL SUPPOSEDLY BE CONCLUSIVE AND IRREFUTABLE! WITCH HUNT!!!”

Trump also blasted Bragg for his actions against him.

“IT IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF MANHATTAN WHO IS BREAKING THE LAW BY USING THE FAKE AND FULLY DISCREDITED TESTIMONY (EVEN BY THE SDNY!) OF A CONVICTED LIAR, FELON AND JAILBIRD, MICHAEL COHEN, TO INCREDIBLY PERSECUTE, PROSECUTE, AND INDICT A FORMER PRESIDENT, AND NOW LEADING (BY FAR!) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, FOR A CRIME THAT DOESN’T EXIST. ALVIN BRAGG SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CRIME OF ‘INTERFERENCE IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,'” he wrote in all caps.

Costello’s law firm was served a subpoena last week for records pertaining to the case.

“Costello’s testimony is significant because he previously recounted that Cohen told him that he paid adult film star Stormy Daniels in order to protect Melania Trump and that Cohen sought a pardon from Trump, per the Wall Street Journal. Cohen has already waived the attorney-client privilege with Costello,” the Washington Examiner reported.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump accused Bragg of getting his instructions straight from the Biden White House.

“Biden wants to pretend he has nothing to do with the Manhattan D.A.’s Assault on Democracy when, in fact, he has ‘stuffed’ the D.A.’s Office with Department of Injustice people, including one top DOJ operative from D.C. who is actually running the ‘Horseface’ Witch Hunt. Bragg is a (Soros) Racist in Reverse, who is taking his orders from D.C. I beat them TWICE, doing much better the second time, and despite their DISINFORMATION campaign, they don’t want to run against ‘TRUMP’ or my GREAT RECORD!” he wrote.

 

A report emerged last week that New York law enforcement was preparing for fallout if Trump were to get indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. It would mark the first time in United States history that a former president was charged with a crime.

“There was no ‘misdemeanor’ here either. There was no crime, period. All other of the many Democrat law enforcement officers that looked at it, took a pass. So did Cy Vance, and so did Bragg. But then, much later, he changed his mind. Gee, I wonder why? Prosecutorial Misconduct and Interference with an Election. Investigate the Investigators!” Trump railed on Truth Social.

According to Reuters, “Legal experts have said if Trump were indicted that any trial could still be more than a year away, possibly coinciding with the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign.”

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