If there was any doubt about any collusion going on, actions inside the courtroom during Michael Cohen’s hearing between the judge and a media attorney seem to confirm just that.
Judge Kimba Wood had ordered the disclosure of a client of Cohen’s who had not wanted his identity revealed. Wood was reportedly set to allow President Trump’s personal attorney to submit the name of his third client under seal. The client turned out to be Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
And while the bombshell hit the airwaves as the story came out, reports from inside the courtroom reveal that Wood changed her mind about keeping Hannity’s identity hidden because of an attorney for CNN and The New York Times.
Natasha Bertrand, a writer for The Atlantic, reported that the attorney “played pivotal role” in convincing the federal judge to reverse course.
A note about this: Judge Wood was prepared to let Ryan give her the name of Cohen’s third client under seal. At that point, an attorney for the NYT and CNN approached the podium and convinced her that the press (&public) should know. She agreed. He played pivotal role here. https://t.co/nbJUaAw4Ys
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) April 17, 2018
“An attorney for the NYT and CNN approached the podium and convinced her that the press (& public) should know. She agreed,” Bertrand tweeted.
According to The New York Times:
The surprise naming of Mr. Hannity took place after several minutes of back and forth among government representatives, members of Mr. Cohen’s legal team and Judge Wood.
Before the name was revealed, Mr. Ryan argued that the mystery client was a “prominent person” who wanted to keep his identity a secret because he would be “embarrassed” to be identified as having sought Mr. Cohen’s counsel.
Robert D. Balin, a lawyer for various media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and others, interrupted the hearing to argue that embarrassment was not a sufficient cause to withhold a client’s name, and Judge Wood agreed.
After Mr. Hannity was named, there were audible gasps from the spectators.
CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz confirmed what transpired at Monday’s hearing and the change of mind by Wood, a United States District Court judge who was once handpicked by Hillary Clinton to be nominated as attorney general. Wood also officiated the 2013 wedding of leftist billionaire George Soros.
I was in court yesterday and if it wasn’t for the attorney representing the press, Sean Hannity’s name would have been filed under seal. Judge Kimba Wood was ready to accept the name under seal, when the attorney representing the press stood up and argued successfully against it
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) April 17, 2018
Prokupecz tweeted about the attorney’s influence on Wood’s decision but failed to mention the lawyer was representing his employer.
Hey Shimon~ Where is part two of this tweet? You know, the most important part that you conveniently decided to omit from this tweet. For full disclosure~CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz confirmed the “under seal” part, BUT omitted that the attorney was representing his employer
— Facts_NOT_Feelings_ (@nsu471982) April 18, 2018
Twitter users questioned the presence of the media attorney and the tactics used in the courtroom, as well as calling out the liberal media.
And the fact that “the press” was the completely “unbiased” @CNN and @nytimes isn’t relevant enough to
mention? Why’s a lawyer for “the press” even in the courtroom?— Deplorable SalidaSam (@salidasam) April 18, 2018
Why was there an atty for the press making arguements?
— beccasu (@CocoaMonoi) April 18, 2018
Is it common practice for an attorney to represent the press at high-profile hearings? Interesting!
— Martha Ann Burns (@MarthaAnnBurns) April 17, 2018
Karma is coming to you CNN’ers for this #CNNIsFakeNews
— Mark ?? (@MarkFanPatriot) April 18, 2018
They pressured him, what Lawyer in America divulges a Client list on National TV.
TRY NONE, IT’S ILLEGAL.
none of this ends well, I’m glad I’m on the Right side. ??
— BodyBags ︻デ═一 (@OGBodyBags) April 18, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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