What's with all the stuff about Stormy?

[Professor Fate]

That's a lot of jurisprudence for something that didn't happen.

I believe it happened. (So what?). And she was paid to keep her mouth shut about it. So...she should keep her mouth shut about it.

[Wabash]

Looks like she changed her mind. If memory serves me correctly she offered to pay the money back.

[Professor Fate]

Both sides agreed to the deal, so both sides would have agree to abrogate it. She's out of luck, and I hope she has to pay through the nose for violating the deal.

[broman]

What is the name of the church that forgives sin but doesn't demand repentance and justice for the victim? Seems to have a large congregation.

[Professor Fate]

What justice?...even Daniels says it was consensual. I'm sure she's sorry...go easy on her.

[broman]

Melania.... One of these pastors who publicly supported Trump needs to publicly demand he does the right thing. His followers should pray he does the right thing. Christianity still has some tenets.

[Wabash]

According to MSNBC

Breaking silence on Stormy Daniels payment, Trump denies knowledge

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday he was not aware of the payment made by his personal attorney to an adult film star that she has claimed was to secure her silence about their alleged affair.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the president for the first time addressed revelations that attorney Michael Cohen paid Stormy Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, $130,000 as part of a nondisclosure agreement brokered just days before the 2016 presidential election. Cohen has said the money came out of his own pocket.

So this gets fun.

I would think the first thing that answer likely does is invalidate the NDA that Daniels signed (and Trump didn't) and that Cohen has been using as the foundation to sue Daniels for supposedly violating said agreement. Right?

Trump’s answer also puts Cohen in a whole lot of trouble in terms of running afoul of the law. In short, he could lose his law license for executing an agreement without informing his client. Wouldn't that be considered perpetrating a fraud? Cohen might be open to defamation for accusing Daniels of lying about something that he supposedly never even confirmed with Trump.

Any predictions on whether or not Cohen flips on Trump? This could ruin him professionally.

[Vilepagan]

I believe it happened. (So what?). And she was paid to keep her mouth shut about it. So...she should keep her mouth shut about it.

And the moral bankruptcy just oozes all over everyone.

It would seem the immorality of our idiot-in-chief is contagious.

[Wabash]

Joy Reid makes an interesting point.

"Yeah, it's pretty amazing. I'm not a lawyer, obviously," she said. "I certainly don't have the level of insight into this that Michael Avenatti has, although if I have a problem, I'll call. Let's apply the common sense test here to what the president and Michael Cohen want you to believe.

"They would have you believe that his attorney, by himself, took $130,000 of his own money, to pay off someone after the "Access Hollywood" tape that did not impact in any way donald trump's ability to be elected," she said.

"And right before the election, they give her money, although they believe her to be not credible. Someone they described as having zero credibility, someone you don't believe can implicate your client, that your client says he never had a relationship with. So you give this person, who had no relationship with, other than taking photos, $130,000 of your own money as the lawyer, you create an LLC to create a secret cooperation. You on your own as the lawyer create an alias for your client, you put that alias' name on the agreement. never telling your client you've done all of that, and you do it simply because you're afraid a woman will make a claim that you believe to be completely false and not provable so she can't even prove she had a relationship with him.

I have to give Trump credit. So many people have been willing to lie for him. Let's see if Cohen continues that trend.

[Fordama]

And he said he got the money with a home equity loan. That had to be an interesting conversation that he had with his wife.

[John Q. Public]

And with the loan officer.

[Professor Fate]

It would seem the immorality of our idiot-in-chief is contagious.

No, I've developed my immorality entirely on my own. Okay, maybe I had a little help.

[Vilepagan]

No, I've developed my immorality entirely on my own.

Of that I have no doubt.

[Wabash]

And the squeeze play starts.

From the NY Times

F.B.I. Raids Office of Trump’s Longtime Lawyer Michael Cohen

The F.B.I. on Monday raided the office of President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, seizing records related to several topics including payments to a pornographic-film actress.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan obtained the search warrant after receiving a referral from the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, according to Mr. Cohen’s lawyer, who called the search “completely inappropriate and unnecessary.” The search does not appear to be directly related to Mr. Mueller’s investigation, but likely resulted from information he had uncovered and gave to prosecutors in New York.

“Today the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York executed a series of search warrants and seized the privileged communications between my client, Michael Cohen, and his clients,” said Stephen Ryan, his lawyer. “I have been advised by federal prosecutors that the New York action is, in part, a referral by the Office of Special Counsel, Robert Mueller.”

Mr. Cohen plays a role in aspects of the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He also recently said he paid $130,000 to a pornographic-film actress, Stephanie Clifford, who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump. Ms. Clifford is known as Stormy Daniels.
Mr. Ryan said Mr. Cohen

Anyone want to bet on the over/under on how long it takes Cohen to flip?

[Professor Fate]

Anything they found there is covered by attorney/client privilege, right?

[Wabash]

I doubt it.

Trump has stated he was unaware of any actions by Cohen as it relates to Daniels.

[Professor Fate]

If this is about Stormy, I don't see the point. We've already established that nobody cares what went on between consenting adults 12 years ago.

[broman]

This only goes down with the approval of the Deputy AG, head of the FBI, and the AG of New York.

[broman]

Washington Post is reporting possible bank and wire fraud along with campaign finance violations. (blame the pay wall for no link)

[Wabash]

If this is about Stormy, I don't see the point. We've already established that nobody cares what went on between consenting adults 12 years ago.

I doubt it's about consenting adults and their proclivities.