F.B.I. Raids Office of Trump’s Longtime Lawyer Michael Cohen
The F.B.I. on Monday raided the office of President Trump’s longtime personal
lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, seizing records related to several topics including
payments to a pornographic-film actress.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan obtained the search warrant after receiving
a referral from the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, according to Mr.
Cohen’s lawyer, who called the search “completely inappropriate and
unnecessary.” The search does not appear to be directly related to Mr. Mueller’s
investigation, but likely resulted from information he had uncovered and gave to
prosecutors in New York.
“Today the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York
executed a series of search warrants and seized the privileged communications
between my client, Michael Cohen, and his clients,” said Stephen Ryan, his
lawyer. “I have been advised by federal prosecutors that the New York action is,
in part, a referral by the Office of Special Counsel, Robert Mueller.”
Mr. Cohen plays a role in aspects of the special counsel’s investigation into
Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He also recently said he
paid $130,000 to a pornographic-film actress, Stephanie Clifford, who said she
had an affair with Mr. Trump. Ms. Clifford is known as Stormy Daniels.
Mr. Ryan said Mr. Cohen has cooperated with authorities and turned over
thousands of documents to congressional investigators looking into Russian
election meddling.
The payments to Ms. Clifford are only one of many topics being investigated,
according to a person briefed on the search. The F.B.I. also seized emails, tax
documents and business records, the person said.
The seized records include communications between Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen,
which would likely require a special team of agents to review because
conversations between lawyers and clients are protected from scrutiny in most
instances.
Source: The New York Times
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