Trump files to dismiss lawsuit against former lawyer Michael Cohen
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Michael Cohen, former President Trump's ex-lawyer and fixer, in New York City in March. Photo: Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Former President Trump filed to dismiss his $500 million lawsuit against ex-personal lawyer Michael Cohen Thursday evening in a move the 2024 Republican primary front-runner's campaign said was a temporary measure as he fights other legal cases.
The big picture: Cohen's attorney Danya Perry noted in a statement after Trump's lawyers filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to have the matter voluntarily dismissed without prejudice that the former president was due to be deposed in the case on Monday.
- Trump filed the lawsuit in April, just over a week after he pleaded not guilty in Manhattan to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to 2016 hush money payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels — the first of four criminal indictments against him.
What they're saying: Given Trump was required to "sit for deposition in a civil matter on Columbus Day," when he's scheduled to be in New Hampshire and as he battles "meritless claims" against him in New York, D.C., Florida, and Georgia, while also campaigning in the 2024 race, he "has decided to temporarily pause his meritorious claims" against Cohen, the spokesperson said.
- "Once President Trump has prevailed in dealing with the witch hunts against him, he will continue to pursue his claims against Michael Cohen, who rightfully deserves to, and will be held accountable for his unlawful words and actions just as the Southern District of New York held him accountable for numerous non-Trump related acts and crimes, making Cohen a very 'proud' felon," the spokesperson added.
Context: Cohen was sentenced in December 2018 to three years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges involving campaign finance violations, tax evasion and lying to Congress. He was released in November 2021.
Go deeper: Michael Cohen settles lawsuit with Trump Organization over unpaid legal fees
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
