Michael Avenatti: Trump’s lawyer recorded conversations with clients, including one with Trump about Stormy Daniels

The lawyer representing porn actress Stormy Daniels said Wednesday that Michael Cohen, President Trump’s personal lawyer, recorded some of his conversations with his clients, including one with Trump that involved Daniels.

Michael Avenatti made the claim after a conference hearing in federal district court in Manhattan, where Cohen is fighting to keep some of the materials seized in raids by the FBI from being used by federal prosecutors.

“Mr. Cohen and his attorney, Mr. Ryan, should release all of those audio recordings to the American people and to Congress,” Avenatti said outside the courthouse on Wednesday. “Then, people can make their own determinations as to their importance related to the president and what he knew.”

Daniels was paid $130,000 shortly before Election Day by Cohen to keep quiet about the alleged affair she says she had with Trump in 2006. She is suing Cohen to get out of her nondisclosure agreement.

“Mr. Cohen’s attorney was forced to admit in open court today that Michael Cohen was making recordings of various parties, and those recordings not only exist, but they’re being kept under lock and key,” Avenatti said on MSNBC after his statement.

When asked if Trump’s voice is on the tapes, Avenatti said, “That’s our understanding.” He said he doesn’t think Daniels’ voice is on any of the tapes.

“These tapes relate directly to the conduct of the president’s right-hand attorney, relate directly to issues considering my client, attorney-client privileges that were disclosed by Mr. Cohen improperly by her prior counsel,” Avenatti explained.

“And also, we have every reason to believe that the tapes include communications between Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen that don’t have anything to do with the rendering of legal advice,” he said. “So, those are not privileged communications.”

Avenatti withdrew his request to represent Daniels in the Cohen case in Manhattan after facing tough questions from U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood, who told him to stop his “publicity tour” if he wanted to join the case.

He could refile later if necessary, Avenatti said.

Wednesday’s court conference was scheduled so the judge could get an update on the review of the materials seized by the FBI. According to the New York Daily News, the review by the special master to determine what falls under attorney-client privilege must be completed by June 15. At that time, any remaining material would be turned over to a government “taint-team.”

Due to an editing error, the original version of this story said there were recordings of Daniels. It was since corrected to reflect Avenatti’s contention that there are recordings of conversations between Cohen and Trump that involve Daniels.

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