FBI agents who raided the office of President Trump’s personal lawyer sought records related to the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape released shortly before the 2016 election, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
The agents wanted records related to the tape, in which Trump can be heard talking about grabbing and kissing women without their consent.
They also were looking for any evidence that the lawyer, Michael Cohen, had tried to conceal damaging information about Trump during the election, sources briefed on the warrant told the Times.
Trump faced intense backlash after the tape was released and sought to distance himself from the comments, describing it at the time as “locker room talk.”
He has also said the voice on the tape might not be him, according to The New York Times. Former “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush, who was on the tape with Trump, fired back in a Washington Post op-ed after those reports emerged, saying that it was definitely Trump talking. {mosads}
More than a dozen women have come forward to accuse Trump of sexual misconduct since the tape’s release. Both Trump and the White House have denied the allegations.
Agents raided Cohen’s hotel room and office on Monday.
They were also seeking information on payments made to women who have accused Trump of extramarital affairs, including adult-film star Stormy Daniels, according to the Times.
Cohen’s lawyer said in a statement Monday that federal prosecutors in Manhattan had obtained the search warrant after receiving a referral “in part” from special counsel Robert Mueller.
Updated: 2:57 p.m.