Judge denies Michael Cohen's request for more time to review seized materials
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/30/michael-cohen-evidence-documents-judge-denies-trump-lawyer-request
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In a setback for Donald Trump, a judge denied a request by lawyers for Michael Cohen, Trumps longtime personal attorney, in federal court on Wednesday for more time to review material seized in the FBI raid last month on Cohens home, hotel room and office.
Cohens lawyers also clashed in the courtroom with Michael Avenatti, a lawyer for Stormy Daniels, the actor and producer of pornographic films, who alleges she had an affair with Trump more than a decade ago and was paid $130,000 in hush money by Cohen, which was later reimbursed to Cohen by Trump. Avenatti is an active thorn in the side of the White House and had come to court to press for his inclusion in the proceedings.
Judge Kimba Wood warned Avenatti, who has frequently discussed the Cohen case on TV and social media, that if he joined the proceedings he would have to shrink his media profile.
Public discussion of the case by participants could potentially deprive him [Cohen] of a fair trial by potentially tainting a jury pool, Wood said, calling the proceedings a potential precursor to a criminal proceeding if charges are filed.
Avenatti withdrew his request for inclusion after the hearing had ended.