Judge agrees to delay porn star’s lawsuit

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

A judge Friday delayed a lawsuit by porn actress Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump and his personal attorney.

Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen, asked for the delay after FBI agents raided his home and office earlier this month. The FBI was seeking records about a nondisclosure agreement Daniels signed days before the 2016 presidential election.

U.S. District Judge S. James Otero agreed to pause the case for three months and set a hearing for July 27.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and sued to invalidate the confidentiality agreement that prevents her from discussing it. She’s also suing Cohen, alleging defamation.

Daniels’ attorney, Michael Avenatti, tweeted he’d likely be filing an immediate appeal of Otero’s ruling with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“We do not agree with it,” Avenatti wrote. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Cohen argued his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination could be jeopardized if the proceedings weren’t delayed.

Cohen said in court records that FBI agents had seized his electronic devices and documents that contain information about the $130,000 Daniels was paid as part of the agreement.