It isn’t clear that he did.
Robert Costello worked for Trump. He is part of the Trump conspiracy. So first off, nothing he says can be believed.
More importantly, it rather looks as if talk of the pardon might have been initiated by Giuliani rather than Cohen.
Agreed- he can’t practice law, but he remains a graduate of the worst law school in America. The same guy who got famous for “says who?” is the one who would emphatically deny (under oath, very publicly) asking for a pardon when you know you’re on an email chain discussing pardons with the president’s lawyer. This is about what we should expect as “the best people” start to cooperate.
OT but Giuliani’s umpteenth divorce is pretty tawdry:
Rudy is in trouble here. We know the OSC strongly suspects the WH was pardon shopping in the Manafort matter and that they believe it played some role in Manafort’s failure to cooperate and be truthful. We all know that the person who would’ve coordinated the pardon dangle dance is Rudy. Cohen basically confirms that and gives us another clear picture of how the whole thing works, complete with mob script. “Sleep well tonight. You’ve got friends in high places.” Really? Wasn’t that like Season 3 of The Sopranos? That prosecutors want these emails (and let’s face it they already have them from Cohen) is because they’re confirming the evidence and limiting challenges to it so that they can use it as a basis for indictments.
"Costello told Cohen in one message not to worry about the federal investigation because he had “friends in high places.”
HE had friends in high places? Who!? Cohen or Costello?! C’mom reporter, basic frigging English here. I assume Cohen from the context, but I shouldn’t have to assume.
Rudy is number 2 on my list of people I would like see in an orange suit. Number 1’s skin matches the typical prison garb.
“veritable smorgasboard of crimes”
This is the perfect phrase to describe the era we’re living in.
I am increasingly of the view that if you were looking for a way to create the circumstances for a resignation of Trump, taking Rudy out of the picture would be a good step. He’s more key to Trump than people realize.
I’m not a lawyer here, but doesn’t a lawyer act on his/her client’s behalf? So if Cohen’s lawyer did the asking, and Cohen knew the ask was made, isn’t that, legally speaking, the same as Cohen asking?
Guilliani can’t remember if he dangled the prospect of a future pardon for Cohen during his conversation with Cohen’s lawyer. A very convenient senior moment.
Legally speaking, not necessarily!