Donald Trump, former US president, is suing his former attorney for $500 million (£400 million), claiming breach of contract.
He claims Michael Cohen violated his ethical obligation to represent his client's interests.
The lawsuit was filed as Trump supporters' attacks on Cohen, a crucial witness in a New York probe into the former president, increased.
Last Monday, a Manhattan prosecutor accused Mr. Trump of fraud in connection with payments of hush money to a porn star.
Lanny Davis, the lawyer and spokesman for Cohen, told the BBC that he was certain his client would win the case.
Additionally, Cohen is charged with making “improper, self-serving, and malicious statements” about his former client, his family, and his business in the lawsuit, which was filed in a federal court in Florida.
Cohen represented Mr. Trump for more than ten years. He was frequently referred to as Mr. Trump's fixer and served as vice president of the Trump Organisation.
Trump is suing former attorney Michael Cohen for $500 million.
But as investigations into numerous of Mr. Trump's associates began after the 2016 victory, the two experienced a severe falling out.
In 2018, Cohen admitted to counts of fraud and other violations relating to campaign finance and was given a three-year prison term and a fine.
After doing his time, Cohen has emerged as a prominent opponent of Mr. Trump and a regular on TV shows.
Both his book and podcast, which Mr. Trump mentions in the lawsuit, were written by him.
It claims that in his 2020 book, Disloyal, Cohen made up conversations and incorrectly referred to Mr. Trump as a “racist.”
According to Cohen's attorney, Mr. Davis, Mr. Trump “appears to be using and abusing the judicial system as a form of harassment and intimidation against Michael Cohen once again,” in a statement to the BBC.
Trump seems to be afraid of the impending legal repercussions and is making an effort to make a statement to other potential witnesses who are working with the prosecution against him.
Prosecutors in New York have accused Mr. Trump of 34 felonies for manipulating business documents in an effort to hide payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about her alleged affair with him.
The first former US president to ever face criminal charges, Mr. Trump made his court appearance in Manhattan on April 4. His defence was not guilty.
Cohen has acknowledged that while serving as Trump's fixer, he helped arrange a $130,000 payment to Ms. Daniels.
As Mr. Trump's court date drew near, Cohen frequently appeared on significant network news programmes and disparaged his former employer.
After Mr. Trump's indictment, Cohen told CNN that “he is not thick-skinned.” He has a very fragile ego and is actually very thin-skinned.
Credit: BBC
