Trump and Michael Cohen move to force Stormy Daniels into private arbitration

Michael Cohen.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

President Trump's personal lawyers are having a busy week, and it's only Monday. On Sunday, Trump attorney Marc Kasowitz appealed a decision by New York Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Schecter to allow former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos to sue Trump for defamation, and on Monday, lawyers for Trump and his longtime lawyer Michael Cohen filed papers in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to force porn star Stormy Daniels into private arbitration. Daniels is suing Cohen and Trump to nullify a confidentiality agreement Daniels signed in October 2016, claiming it is invalid because Trump never signed it. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, says she had an extramarital affair with Trump in 2006.

Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said he and his client will "vigorously oppose" private arbitration and push for a hearing in open court.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.