The lawyer has been invited to testify before Trump’s grand jury

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer who previously advised Michael CohenA key government witness in the investigation into Donald Trump’s hush money has been subpoenaed to appear before a Manhattan grand jury on Monday that is considering possible charges against the former president, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Robert Costello advised Cohen before the two fell out, and was prepared to testify to a grand jury attacking the credibility of Cohen’s statements, according to the person, who insisted on anonymity to discuss confidential legal proceedings.

Costello contacted one of Trump’s lawyers to say he had information that contradicted Cohen’s current statements and could lead to a conviction for Trump, the person said. The lawyer brought it to the attention of the district attorney’s office, which subpoenaed Costello’s law firm for records last week and invited him to testify Monday afternoon.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment Sunday. Prosecutors have not said when they will finish their work or when or if Trump might be charged. Former President A post on Saturday claimed That he would be arrested on Tuesday, though people close to him later said he had not been given an update from prosecutors.

The New York Times first reported Costello’s expected appearance before a grand jury.

Cohen is a former Trump lawyer and fixer who was a key witness in District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation, meeting regularly with prosecutors and appearing before a grand jury earlier this month.

Cohen served prison time in 2018 after pleading guilty to federal charges including campaign finance violations for arranging payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal to keep them from going public. Trump has denied this.

Costello is a veteran New York lawyer who has represented Trump allies, including his adviser Steve Bannon and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Costello’s connection to Cohen was highlighted Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Reportwho investigated ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign as well as efforts to obstruct the investigation.

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According to Mueller’s report, Cohen began speaking with Costello in April 2018, days after the FBI raided Cohen’s home, hotel room and office. Amid public speculation about whether Cohen would begin cooperating with investigators, Costello emailed Cohen to reassure him that he had a “very, very positive” conversation with Giuliani and that “you have friends in high places.”

Cohen waived his attorney-client privilege with Costello, which will allow Costello to narrate their conversation, the person said.

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