The FBI on Monday raided the office of US president Donald Trump's long-time 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 Mueller, 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 US 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 (€105,500) to a pornographic-film actress, Stephanie Clifford, who said she had an affair with Mr Trump. Clifford performs under the name Stormy Daniels.
Mr Ryan said Mr Cohen has co-operated with authorities and turned over thousands of documents to congressional investigators looking into Russian election meddling. The payments to Clifford are only one of many topics being investigated, according to a person briefed on the search. The FBI 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. – New York Times