| Trump Trial Evidence Ends
With Costello Objected to and
Sustained Now Full Week Off
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE,
May 21 – In the Trump Trial,
evidence ended on Tuesday more
with a whimper than a bang,
none of the previous day's
side eye from Bob Costello -
and then Justice Merchan said
the case was be off for a
week. Thread:
[Trump is here,
blue suit, tie of yellow or
gold. Some GOP Congressmember
in row behind him; at least
one Dem Congressmember in back
of the overflow.]
All rise!
...Prosecutor
Hoffinger: In this email,
Michael Cohen says to stop
contacting him. And the header
is about Accounts - were you
sending him bills? Costello: I
think that was the billing
department. Prosecutor: Did
Rudy Giuliani go to your
wedding? Costello: He
did
Prosecutor
Hoffinger: You wrote to
Jeffrey Citron, Reason for
Cohen to hire me, my
connection to Giuliani. That's
your email? Costello:
Correct... There are
surrounding circumstances I'd
be delighted to explain for
you. Prosecutor Hoffinger:
That's alright
Prosecutor
Hoffinger: Let me read another
email ... We must reverse the
Avenatti effect, -Bob. You
wrote this? Costello: Michael
Cohen has been complaining,
incessantly Prosecutor
Hoffinger: As you said
yesterday, the email speaks
for itself. Costello:
Sometimes
Prosecutor Hoffinger: You
wrote that you'd been played?
Costello: I'd like to explain
it. Prosecutor Hoffinger: No.
You felt you were being played
because you hadn't been paid?
Costello: Now you
do want me to explain.
Prosecutor Hoffinger: No, I
don't. Prosecutor
Hoffinger: You thought Michael
Cohen was also playing
President Trump? Costello: I
don't think that's correct.
Prosecutor Hoffinger: People's
512H - your email to your
partner Citron. You forwarded
Mr. Cohen's text and said, He
is slow playing us
Prosecutor Hoffinger: You
wrote, he is playing with the
most powerful man on the
planet - this speaks for
itself, doesn't it? Costello:
It does. Prosecutor Hoffinger:
On May 15 didn't you go to
Congress about Michael Cohen?
Costello: I was
requested to testify
Prosecutor Hoffinger: It was
your attempt to intimidate
Michael Cohen? Costello:
Intimidate Michael Cohen?
Ridiculous. Prosecutor
Hoffinger: No further
questions.
[Re-direct]
Trump's lawyer
Emil Bove: When Cohen said you
never represented him-
Costello: False
Trump's lawyer Bove: Let's
look at this exhibit Ms.
Hoffinger put in yesterday,
email to your son. You quote
Michael Cohen from April 2018,
it will be an honor to have
you on the team. Costello:
That's what he said. Bove: And
Cohen called you for 30 min?
Yes Trump's lawyer Bove:
What did you mean when you
wrote about being played?
Costello: Jeff
Cintron gave him the retainer
agreement. Cohen put it in his
briefcase, then always evaded
our questions about it. He
claimed he was paying MWE - he
wasn't. Trump's lawyer
Bove: You wrote, Privileged
and Confidential, Attorney
Client - did Cohen tell you
no, you're not my lawyer?
Costello: No. Bove: Cohen
couldn't be surprised you
communicated with Rudy
Giuliani? Costello: Michael
Cohen asked me to
Trump's lawyer
Emil Bove: Who initiated
communications - Prosecutor:
Objection! Beyond the scope.
[sidebar ensues; Costello
looks away from the bench]
Justice Merchan: The objection
is sustained. Bove: GX 208.
Page 2, you said whether you
communicate is up to you
Trump's lawyer Bove: Every
document we've looked at, you
provided to these guys a year
ago? Costello: Yes. Bove: You
met May 3?
Prosecutor Hoffinger:
Objection, beyond the scope
Justice Merchan: Sustained.
Bove: What was
your purpose in subsequent
meetings?
Prosecutor Hoffinger:
Objection Justice Merchan:
Sustained. Trump's lawyer
Bove: The prosecution has
known of your relationship
with Michael Cohen since last
year? Prosecutor Hoffinger:
Objection Justice Merchan:
Sustained. Bove: No further
questions. Prosecutor
Hoffinger: Did Michael Cohen
ever sign the retainer?
Costello: No. Prosecutor
Hoffinger: No further
questions.
Trump's
lawyer Blanche: The Defense
rests.
Justice Merchan:
Jurors, you are now off until
next Tuesday. You may begin
deliberating Wednesday
Justice Merchan: On next
Tuesday, we may have to go
past 4:30. See you in a week.
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