President Trump asks judge for private arbitration in adult-film star Stormy Daniels' lawsuit
President Donald Trump and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, reportedly asked a federal judge on Monday to order a lawsuit, which has been filed by adult-film star Stormy Daniels, to be resolved through private arbitration, according to reports.
Daniels filed a lawsuit against Trump earlier this month in a Los Angels federal court, seeking to be released from a non-disclosure agreement between the duo. Daniels claimed that the deal between them stands invalid, considering the Republican president did not sign the agreement.
The adult-movie star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and President Trump had an alleged affair, shortly after the First Lady gave birth to his youngest son Barron Trump, according to reports. The speculations of the alleged affair between the president and the adult star were rife after the Wall Street Journal, on January 12, reported that one of Trump's lawyers, Cohen, had arranged a $130,000 payment for Daniels to remain silent about the alleged affair.
Cohen, who acknowledged the payment made to Daniels last month, however, said that it was made from his own pocket and not Trump's.
Trump's legal team had reportedly previously also requested Daniels' lawsuit to be moved from state court to federal court, according to The Hill.
Reports state that Cohen, in Monday's filing in Los Angeles, claimed that Daniels had not raised any issues with the non-disclosure agreement before she filed a suit. Cohen's attorney, Brent Blakey, stated that the agreement includes a provision that any disputes regarding the suit should be settled through arbitration and not in open court.
While Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, on Monday tweeted, saying that he will "vigorously oppose" Trump's legal team's effort for private arbitration of the case.
"This is a democracy and this matter should be decided in an open court of law owned by the people," Avenatti said.
President Trump and the White House have denied all the allegations made by Daniels and her lawyer.
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah, during a press briefing last week, said: "The president strongly clearly and consistently has denied these underlying claims. The only one who has been inconsistent is the one making the claims. False charges are settled out of court all the time.”
