Michael Cohen’s ex-legal advisor accused of jury tampering in hush money trial

Robert “Bob” Costello, former legal advisor to Michael Cohen, is being accused of jury tampering in theNew York criminal trial against Donald Trump after he tried to discredit Cohen at a congressional hearing.

On Wednesday, Mr Costello testified tothe House Judiciary Committee that Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and one-time fixer, has liedon the witness stand this week. He appeared at a hearing intended to “examine the use of lawfare tactics to weaponize the rule of law”.

New York Democrat Dan Goldman lambasted Mr Costello for his allegations about Cohen, saying he was knowingly “jury tampering” by sharing that information.

“If you have information about Michael Cohen’s testimony, you should talk to Donald Trump and his lawyers to see if they want to call you as a witness to impeach Michael Cohen. But you know that coming down here, outside of that courtroom while that witness is on the stand to try to impeach his credibility and his testimony is jury tampering,” Mr Goldman said.

He added: “You know it is unethical.”

Jury tampering is an attempt to influence the decisions of a jury during a trial. One of the ways that can be done is by introducing information outside of the court, though typically it must include a direct interaction with a juror.

On Monday, the prosecution called Cohen, their star witness, to testify in the hush money trial. Throughout the week, Cohen detailed how he came to know and work for Mr Trump as well as the events leading up to the hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Cohen also testified about his relationship with Mr Costello in the Manhattan courtroom. He told jurors that he had an informal relationship with Mr Costello, who served as a legal adviser and his back channel to