President Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen, is being investigated for possible bank fraud and campaign finance violations, The Washington Post reported Monday.
Citing a person familiar with the case, the newspaper reported the focus of the investigation into Cohen hours after it was confirmed that FBI agents had raided his Manhattan office.
Cohen’s lawyer, Stephen Ryan, said in a statement that federal prosecutors in Manhattan obtained a search warrant after receiving a referral “in part” from special counsel Robert Mueller. Ryan called the search “completely inappropriate and unnecessary.”
{mosads}Agents reportedly seized emails, tax documents and records related to his payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.
Cohen has admitted to making the $130,000 payment to Daniels as part of a nondisclosure agreement related to her alleged 2006 affair with Trump.
The payment went through just days before the 2016 election. Cohen has admitted to paying Daniels, but denied it violated campaign finance laws.
Last week, Trump denied knowing about the payment. It was the first time he had addressed the issue publicly.
“You’ll have to ask Michael Cohen,” Trump said. “Michael is my attorney. You’ll have to ask Michael.”
Trump responded to the raid during a meeting with military leaders, calling it “a disgraceful situation.”
Trump also took aim at the Russia probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller, who reportedly made the referral that led to the raid.
“I have this witch hunt constantly going on,” Trump said. “It’s an attack on on our country … what we all stand for.”
Updated at 6:57 p.m.