Avenatti claims he represents three more women that were paid hush money
Lawyer Michael Avenatti claimed late Thursday that he is representing three other women who say they were paid hush money either by President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, on behalf of Trump, or by publishing company American Media Inc.
Avenatti, who is representing adult-film star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuits against Trump and Cohen, made the announcement during a panel discussion in West Hollywood.
{mosads}”There are three additional female clients of mine that have not been disclosed that were paid hush money prior to the 2016 election, whether it be from Michael Cohen on behalf of the president, an entity that Michael Cohen formed or AMI,” Avenatti said.
The Associated Press reported that Avenatti confirmed the women claim they had affairs with Trump.
“Last time I checked, they weren’t just handing out checks to anyone whether they had a relationship or not,” he added.
He said that one of the women claimed to be pregnant at the time she was paid, according to ABC7.
In a tweet later Thursday, Avenatti called for Trump and Cohen to reveal more information about the situation.
“Three additional women. All paid hush money through various mean,” he tweeted. “Time for Michael Cohen and Donald Trump to come 100 percent clean with the American people. All the documents, all the tapes, NOW. No more lies or lip service.”
Daniels is suing Trump and Cohen for defamation and to void a nondisclosure agreement about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump. Cohen arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels days ahead of the 2016 election, which she says was to keep her quiet about the alleged affair.
Cohen also secretly taped Trump discussing a payment to former Playboy mode Karen McDougal, who also claims she had an affair with Trump.
It was reported earlier this year that AMI, the publisher of the National Enquirer, bought the rights to McDougal’s story but never ran the piece. Trump is a longtime friend of AMI head David Pecker.
Trump has denied knowing about the payments in advance and has denied the affairs took place.
Updated at 7:31 a.m.