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GottaLaff

@GottaLaff@mastodon.social

Bite me, Musk.

Progressive political commentator (print, radio, podcasts) for years. I post a lot: breaking news + legit info you can use, prone to snark. My mini Australian Labradoodle, Hamilton, has trained me well.

Now where's my trough of wine? 🍷🇺🇸🇨🇦

#Progressive #USPolitics #VotingRights #legal #WomensRights #CivilRights #BLM #climate #Canada #journalists #politics #news #LGBTQ #DogsOfMastodon

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GottaLaff , to random
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

🧵starts HERE.

Plz remember to use NFL (Not For Laffy, no hashtag) so I can ignore those replies while live-posting. TY!

1/...Tyler McBrien:

Trey Gowdy again...

Per Trump's campaign, this is today's Greek chrous: Don Trump, Jr., Matt Whitaker, Pam Bondi, Sen. Eric Schmitt, Rep. Daniel Webster, Rep. Dan Meuser, Rep. Ronny Jackson, Rep. Troy Nehls, Rep. Dale Strong, Rep. Maria Salazar, Sebastian Gorka, Chuck Zito, Joe Piscopo, Bill White

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

2/ Yes, you read "Joe Piscopo" in my previous toot.

McB:

At 9:14 a.m., ADAs Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass, and Matthew Colangelo, walk in, offering a hearty good morning to their colleagues already in the courtroom (America's Favorite Paralegals™️)

Christopher Conroy and Rebecca Mangold, for the prosecution, have just arrived as well.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

3/ McB:

At 9:23 a.m., Trump walks in and immediately spots
Andrea Mitchell, points at her, and mouths something I couldn't fully catch.

His entourage is huge today. It takes them a while to all file in and find their seats.

At 9:28 a.m., the ever punctual Justice Merchan walks in, "All rise."

Steinglass makes introductions for the prosecution, and Bove for the defense.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

4/ McB:

Merchan thanks each side for their "submission" and says it would be helpful to do that with "other sections."

With nothing else to discuss, Merchan brings in the witness.

Costello walks in and retakes the stand.

"Good morning Mr Costello, welcome back," Merchan says.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

5/ McB:

As we wait for the jury, a few of Trump's hallway comments just now, per the hallway reporters: “They have no case, there’s no crime…” “This should be an easy ruling.”

Trump also said the judge should rule from the bench.

GottaLaff OP , (edited )
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

6/ McB:

While we continue to wait, Steinglass stands up and asks whether Justice Merchan would like to ask the jury their availability for next Wednesday. Merchan agrees.

More from just outside the courtroom a few minutes ago:

“We’ll be resting pretty quickly, meaning resting the case. I won’t be resting. I don’t rest. I’d like to rest sometimes, but I don’t get to rest.”

ADDED 😂 via
Brian Tyler Cohen: Dude’s spent 80% of his time in the courtroom fast asleep but okay.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

7/ McB:

The jury is back, and Hoffinger is up at the lectern.

When we left off yesterday, she says, we spoke about how ultimately another lawyer hired Cohen to rep him instead of Costello and his firm.

Costello is poker-faced.

Hoffinger shows an email of Cohen asking Costello to cease contacting him and asks whether Costello provided the email.

Yes, I provided a lot of emails to your office, Costello says.

Apparently Costello's firm was sending Cohen's bills.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

8/ McB:

We go back to the first Regency meeting, and already it's a bit tense as Costello answers the question 👉🏼then goes on to correct Hoffinger, who tells him to just answer the question please.

Q: You're very close to Giuliani?
A: Yes
Q: He went to your wedding?
A: Yes

Costello says that he didn't tell Cohen about his closeness with Giuliani at the first meeting, but Hoffinger shows him his email in which he wrote "I told you my relationship with Rudy"—meaning, "I told you before."

GottaLaff OP ,
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9/ McB:

Costello denies again, so Hoffinger shows another email (512B) 04/2018 Costello to Citron, abt Giuliani joining Trump's legal team: "all the more reason for Cohen to hire me...as I mentioned to him in our meeting."

👉🏼These emails could not more perfectly refute Costello's answers.👈🏼

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

10/ McB:

That email speaks for itself right? says Hoffinger.

No there are surrounding circumstances about that email which I'd be delighted to tell you, Costello answers.

No that's alright, Hoffinger says, getting a good chuckle from the gallery (which gets a "quiet" from an officer)

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

11/ McB:

Hoffinger now asks about the "sleep well tonight" "friends in high places" email—yes, this is about Trump, Costello says, so she shows People's 512G, a 5/15/18 email re: "call to Cohen"—it's long but Costello tells Citron to call Cohen, who is ignoring his calls.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

12/ McB:

Q: This email is about your goal to have Cohen follow instructions by Giuliani and the president?
A: No, not to follow instructions but to get everyone on the same page, bc Cohen had been complaining that Giuliani—👉🏼Hoffinger says thanks but he plows on—had been making comments in the press that Cohen didn't approve of.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

13/ McB:

Another email, 6/13/18 Costello to Cohen: "my friend has communicated to me that he is meeting with his client this evening," and asked Cohen if there's anything he'd like to convey to Trump via Giuliani.

These emails are Costello attempting to establish the Cohen-Costello-Giuliani-Trump backchannel in real time.

Costello just characterizes it as "getting everyone on the same page."

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

14/ McB:

Another tense moment:

Q: You felt like you had been played by Cohen?
A: You want me me to explain it?
Q: No thanks. You wanted to get paid right?
A: No.
Q: You wanted to—
A: —so you do want me to explain it?

👉🏼Merchan tells Costello there's a pending question.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

@TCatInReality YES!!!!!

LIVE, from Idiocracy, it's Tuesday night!

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

15/ McB:

More emails from Costello to Cohen—it's a full court press. He talks about the liberal media—"They want you to cave. They want you to fail"—and tries to convince Cohen to talk to him.

This is the alleged "pressure campaign" that Cohen spoke about.

HOFFINGER: In 06/2018 you were angry that Cohen was playing you?
COSTELLO: Angry? No, that's the wrong word.
HOFFINGER: Didn't you believe he was also playing Pres Trump?
COSTELLO: No I don't think that's correct.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

16/ Lol, oops

McB:

Hoffinger asks about the question yesterday to Costello about whose interests he re had in mind (Costello said Cohen's), so she offers 512H—Costello forwarded a Cohen text (abt how he finished doc review and then met with counsel) to Citron..

...it reads: "he continues to slow play us and the president...what should I say to this asshole? he's playing with the most powerful man on the planet"

HOFFINGER: That email speaks for itself does it not?

COSTELLO: It does.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

17/ McB:

HOFFINGER: You lost control of Cohen, correct?
After some back and forth...
COSTELLO: No, I answered no.

A: Did you lose control when he pled guilty?
A: I didn't have control when he pled guilty.
Q: Do you have any animosity toward Cohen?
A: No

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

18/ Clean-up on Aisle Trump!

McB:

Hoffinger asks whether Costello went to testify at Congress recently to intimidate Cohen.

COSTELLO: Intimidate Cohen? No, that's ridiculous.

Nothing further your Honor, says Hoffinger.

Bove back up now.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

19/ McB:

Bove calmly pulls up an email from Cohen to Costello, in which Cohen said "as you do not or have never represented me in this or any other matter" Is that true or false? Bove asks.

False, Costello answers quickly.

Now Cohen's signed waiver agreement, which read "at no time did I sign a retainer or otherwise agree to retain Costello"—this would be a false statement? asks Bove.

Objection—overruled.

Yes, false, says Costello.

GottaLaff OP ,
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

20/ McB:

Back to the message between Costello and his son:

From: Rabert Costello <@ gmail.com> Sent: Friday, April 20, 2018 2:16 M To: Costello, Robert J, Subject: Re: Cohen Wow. Thats big news. Congrats Dad. T hope this leads (o a ot of good things coming your way. On Apr20, 2018, at 2:14 PM, Costello, Robert I. 'f.i?.dl\clcgauonw wrobe: Iwill be on the team. “It would be an honor to have you part of my team. | will be eternally grateful for the help and guidance you have alreacly given me.” -Michael Cohen, Personal attorney for President Donald J. Trump. / This is not pubilc yet so do not say anything to anyone about this. | do not know when we will make an announcement but T have been authorlzed to contact Rudy Gluliani as counsel to President Trump and tell him I will be representing Michael Cahen. Dad
ALT
  • Reply
    • GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    21/ Inner City Press (aka Press):

    Trump's lawyer Bove: Let's look at this exhibit Ms. Hoffinger put in yesterday, email to your son. You quote Michael Cohen from April 2018, it will be an honor to have you on the team.
    Costello: That's what he said.
    Bove: And Cohen called you for 30 min?
    Yes

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    22/ McB:

    The waiver agreement is available on the docket now too: https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/Evidence/People/5-20-2024/People's%20504AT%20(2019.02.17%20Costello%20Waiver).pdf

    Now the "we have been played here" email, what did that mean?

    Cohen constantly referred to a retainer agreement he stuck in his briefcase, every time Citron asked him if he signed the waiver he'd give an excuse, and made them believe Cohen paid another firm.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    23/ Klasfeld:

    Trump's attorney Emil Bove is back up to try to rehabilitate the witness.

    Costello provides his narration of why he wrote that Cohen may have "played" him.

    He says Cohen wasn't signing the retainer agreement.

    Q: Were you concerned that you were representing Michael Cohen but he wouldn't sign the retainer agreement?
    A: Yeah, sure.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    24/ McB:

    At least one member of the jury takes notes as Bove questions Costello.

    Most others just watch on closely, pen in hand.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    25/ McB:

    Bove shows email from Costello that he marked "atty-client privilege," then transitions to discuss the "backchannel"—a word 1st used by Giuliani, who gave the reason that Cohen didn't want this to be public.

    Hoffinger has lobbed a few objections, most sustained, and mostly based on hearsay from what I can guess. Costello keeps saying "Giuliani said this" or "Giuliani said that." Another objection now, beyond the scope—sustained—Bove says this was inquired about on cross—sustained.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    26/ Anna Bower:

    Bove tries to ask about Costello saying "I will not pester you.." in an email to Cohen.

    Objection from Hoffinger: Beyond the scope. Sustained.

    Bove, with hint of annoyance, says "this was inquired about on cross examination."

    He tries to keep going, then the parties go to sidebar. Objection sustained.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    27/ Klasfeld:

    Hoffinger offers a volley of objections after the next series of questions to the witness. First, it's sustained, but the latest drew a sidebar.

    "Approach," Merchan told the attorneys.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    28/ McB:

    After a sidebar, Bove pulls up People's 208, the long email Hoffinger asked about minutes ago, especially a line in which Costello says something is "totally up to you" to Cohen.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    29/ McB:

    Q: Did you ever pressure Cohen to do anything?
    A: No
    Q: Did you ever have control over Cohen?
    A: Completely not
    Q: Does a lawyer ever control—objection, sustained.
    Q: I want to ask about how you practice law—objection, sustained.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    30/ McB:

    After another two objections,
    👉🏼Costello looks askance at Merchan, then back forward, and subtly rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

    It's a shade of yesterday's pugnacious Costello, but ultimately he restrains himself👈🏼

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    31/ McB:

    Bove is done—two questions from Hoffinger.

    Q: You said that you gave Cohen a retainer agreement weeks later after meeting with him on May 3?
    A: Citron gave it to him, but I was in the room.

    ...Hoffinger shows Costello the retainer agreement—Cohen never siged it? Correct. And he never paid you? Correct.

    And that's it for Costello. He steps out.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    32/ And to NOBODY'S surprise...because Trump is a chronic liar and completely predictable when it comes to these insulting claims and false bravado...

    McB:

    THE DEFENSE RESTS.

    👉🏼Trump will not testify.👈🏼

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    33/ McB:

    Merchan is now addressing the jury: normally you'd hear summations now, but in a case like this, summations will take a while, as will his jury instructions, which he predicts will take an hour.

    Bc we're meeting only today and Thurs, Merchan says there's no way we could do what needs to be done in a cohesive manner, it would be too broken up—best thing would be to adjourn now until Tues. At that time they'll hear summations, then the jury charge, then deliberations.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    34/ Pagliery:

    He'll let the jury go home today early. They'll be off for quite the extended weekend.

    We'll come back next Tuesday to hear lawyers deliver closing arguments. Wednesday, he'll give them instructions & they can start deliberating.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    35/ Pagliery:

    Jury steps out. Judge says lawyers can start working on proposed jury charges.

    McB:

    Now we're all excused until 2:15, when we're pick up the charging conference.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    36/ McB:

    Thinking ahead to next Tues, Merchan isn't 100% sure we'll finish both summations, so he asks if they'd consider working late that day.

    Jury is excused until next week, after Memorial Day.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    37/ PLEASE NOTE ICYMI:

    I'll be on the road to Canada next Tuesday, so it's unlikely I can live-post from my phone, esp. when the connection is always so spotty while driving up.

    I highly recommend following @Nonilex. Her work is excellent.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    38/

    Via Acyn, quoting a CNN legal commentator (vid is on Xitter):

    “I think the legal term to describe what we just saw from the prosecution in its cross of Robert Costello is Hoffinger beat the snot out of him”

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @darthstar YVW Sean

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @LyleDAL It will, agree

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    39/ And with that, I'm off to confront Mr. BlowDryer.

    And because I must clarify, because apparently it wasn't obvious:

    No, I don't fight with my blowdryer other than I hate the result half the time. Yes, I do use a Dyson (superb dryer btw), so no need to suggest that to me. No, it's not a real struggle, it was me having some fun and attempting a little humor during a long trial. Yes, I always prevail, because Mr. BlowDryer is a Dyson wuss.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @NanBP Thank you Nan!

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @JeanPoole_AZ It's at the top... he's waiting.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @unclepj Many thanks!

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @saulm Omg, me too, LOL. I'm providing them with an opening! @Nonilex

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @darthstar I'll hopefully be able to read as we drive.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @michaelgemar Thanks Michael!

    GottaLaff , to random
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    NEW 🧵starts HERE.

    Plz remember to use NFL (Not For Laffy, no hashtag) so I can ignore those replies while live-posting. TY!

    1/... Tyler McBrien:

    It's 2:09 p.m., Trump walks in with his defense team in tow.

    Alan Dershowitz is still here as well.

    All five members of the prosecution are already seated.

    GottaLaff OP ,
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    @bronakins Which is why I ate so much of it, lol

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