Los Angeles: The lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels said Wednesday that she had a sexual relationship with Donald Trump and wants to nullify a “hush agreement” so the public can decide “who’s telling the truth.”
Los Angeles lawyer Michael Avenatti filed a lawsuit on behalf of Ms Daniels on Tuesday seeking to toss out the confidential settlement she signed just days before the November 2016 election. Mr Avenatti made the rounds of the morning talk shows on Wednesday to explain the legal move by ms Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Asked on NBC’s Today show if Ms Daniels had a sexual relationship with Mr Trump, Mr Avenatti immediately replied, “Yes.”
“She believes it’s important that the public learn the truth about what happened,” he said. “I think it’s time for her to tell her story.” As part of the lawsuit filed with a California court seeking to declare the non-disclosure agreement null and void, Mr Avenatti released a copy of the settlement. It shows that Ms Daniels received a $130,000 payment from a company known as Essential Consultants LLC in return for her silence. Using the pseudonyms Peggy Peterson and David Dennison, Ms Clifford and Mr Trump were to sign the agreement, along with Essential Consultants. But Mr Trump never signed it, providing the basis for Mr Avenatti’s attempt to have it thrown out and release Ms Daniels from her obligations.
