LOS ANGELES _ A Los Angeles federal judge on Tuesday denied Michael Cohen's request to impose a gag order on Michael Avenatti, saying it would violate the attorney's right to free speech.
U.S. District Judge S. James Otero said Cohen was understandably concerned that Avenatti's disparaging of him in frequent media interviews could affect his right to a fair trial if a federal criminal probe in New York yields formal charges against him.
But Otero said the issues involved in the litigation that he is overseeing in Los Angeles are "far less consequential" than those in the criminal case, which is outside his jurisdiction.
Otero is presiding over a lawsuit that an Avenatti client, porn actress Stormy Daniels, filed against President Donald Trump and Cohen to void a nondisclosure agreement that bars her from discussing an alleged affair with Trump. Cohen was the Trump lawyer who negotiated his deal with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
"It is clear that Mr. Cohen's worry is not about the effect of the publicity on this litigation, but the effect of the publicity" on the potential New York prosecution, Otero wrote.
On Twitter, Avenatti said Otero's ruling blocked an attempt by Cohen and Trump "to silence me and prevent me from commenting as to the truth. So much winning from these two!"
