Stormy Daniels suit could back Trump into a corner

 The recent lawsuit by Stephanie Clifford, also known as adult film actress Stormy Daniels, against President Trump, may appear to be just another sideshow in the ongoing chaos in the White House. But her legal claims offer more than just fodder for first-year law school contracts exams -- the suit also raises some serious political headaches and potential legal consequences for the Trump administration.

The basis for Clifford's lawsuit is a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) that she entered into before Trump took office, prohibiting her from discussing any alleged relationship she had with the President. Clifford isn't seeking money from the court, but a "declaratory judgment" on the validity of the NDA.

Clifford's NDA involved three parties: Clifford, named in the contract as "Peggy Peterson;" a private company, or LLC, called "Essential Consultants;" and "David Dennison," whom Clifford claims is a pseudonym for President Trump. The NDA prohibits Clifford from discussing any aspect of her alleged relationship with "David Dennison" in exchange for $130,000, which Essential Consultants (represented by President Trump's private attorney, Michael Cohen) paid her. 

 

Source: Edition.Cnn