Renowned attorney Joe Tacopina, a key figure on Donald Trump's legal team, has withdrawn from representing the former president, according to court documents filed on Monday.
Tacopina's departure comes just ahead of a trial set to determine damages in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll against Trump, as per to Independent.
Trump Attorney Withdraws Amid Trial Challenges
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Defense attorney for rapper A$AP Rocky, Joe Tacopina questions a witness during a preliminary hearing in A$AP Rocky's assault with a semi-automatic firearm case at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on November 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, has been charged with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm stemming from a November 2021 incident in Hollywood.
Previously handling two major cases for Trump, Tacopina filed his withdrawal in each case on Monday, raising questions about the reasons behind this significant move. When contacted by The Independent, Tacopina declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure.
The legal drama intensifies as Trump's current lawyer, Alina Habba, pushes back against Carroll's legal team's requests in the defamation trial. Habba expresses concerns about what she deems as "far-fetched and highly prejudicial" demands, including calls for evidence supporting Trump's planned testimony and objections to certain warnings and admonishments.
The trial, initiated by Carroll seeking $10 million in damages, aims to determine the repercussions of Trump's alleged defamation against her. The backdrop to this legal battle includes a previous jury finding Trump liable for sexual battery, setting the stage for a complex and contentious trial.
Habba contends that Trump should be allowed to provide testimony on various aspects, including responding to reporters' questions and explaining the circumstances of his comments in light of Carroll's extensive media coverage. She vehemently opposes a demand for Trump to acknowledge, under oath, certain established positions regarding the alleged sexual assault, according to The Hill.
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E. Jean Carroll Team Accuses Trump's Lawyer in Trial Delays
Amid these legal maneuvers, Carroll's team suggests that Trump's lawyer misrepresented the former president's need for trial delays related to the $10 million defamation damages sought by Carroll. Habba dismisses the notion that Trump has nothing valuable to offer in his testimony and argues that his testimony should not be prematurely shared with the plaintiff before the trial.
The shakeup in Trump's legal team, marked by Tacopina's withdrawal, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battles faced by the former president. Tacopina's departure comes at a critical juncture as Trump faces multiple criminal indictments, including the high-profile hush money case in New York. The case involves charges of falsifying business records to conceal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election.
While Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges, Tacopina's decision to part ways with Trump raises questions about the dynamics within the legal team. Susan Necheles leads Trump's defense in the hush money case, but Tacopina played a prominent role in defending Trump in the media. His departure on the eve of another defamation trial against Trump, not represented by Tacopina, underscores the complexities surrounding Trump's legal defense.
Tacopina, known for representing high-profile clients, has navigated numerous high-stakes cases, including those involving Fox News host Sean Hannity, rapper A$AP Rocky, pop legend Michael Jackson, and former MLB star Alex Rodriguez. His departure follows a pattern of legal professionals stepping down from Trump's team, underscoring the challenges faced by the former president in navigating these legal battles.
As the legal saga unfolds, Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, does not directly address Tacopina's departure but asserts that Trump has the most experienced and qualified legal team to fight against what he terms "partisan, Crooked Joe Biden-led election interference hoaxes." The developments in Trump's legal battles continue to captivate attention, with Tacopina's exit marking a notable chapter in this ongoing legal drama, Business Insider reported.
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