What Were The Agents After?
Michael Cohen, the longtime attorney of President Trump, is under federal investigation for possible bank fraud, wire fraud and campaign finance violations, according to three people with knowledge of the case.
FBI agents on Monday raided Cohen’s Manhattan office, home and hotel room as part of the investigation, seizing records about Cohen’s clients and personal finances. Among the records taken were those related to a 2016 payment Cohen made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had a sexual encounter with Trump, according to a fourth person familiar with the investigation.
Investigators took Cohen’s computer, phone and personal financial records, including tax returns, as part of the search of his office at Rockefeller Center, that person said.
In a dramatic and broad seizure, federal prosecutors collected communications between Cohen and his clients — including those between the lawyer and Trump, according to both people.
The raids — part of an investigation referred by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III to federal prosecutors in New York — point to escalating legal jeopardy for a longtime Trump confidant who is deeply intertwined in the president’s business and personal matters.The Raid Had To Have Had The Highest Level Review And Clearance
In order to get the OK to raid Cohen's office, prosecutors would have had to get approval from high up — in this case from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein — and demonstrate to a federal magistrate both probable cause and the need for a warrant instead of a subpoena (such as a concern that Cohen might destroy evidence), [former U.S. Attorney Harry] Litman explained.
In addition, the probable cause would have to relate to a crime centered on Cohen. "You can’t use it as end run around to get to the client," Litman explained.
There will also be a "taint team" to examine everything before it is handed over to prosecutors to make sure that those conducting the case never see any material that might be "tainted" by attorney-client privilege.This Could've Been Stopped At Those High Levels But Wasn't. Why?
“I think in this situation, given the fact that Main Justice probably know about these search warrants before they were executed, that Sessions had an opportunity to step in and stop this—just like the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York—and no one did.”
“So what does that tell you that’s in this affidavit?” [CNN Legal Analyst Page] Pate continued. “What evidence is it that they have pinpointed that Michael Cohen has access to that will prove evidence of some crime? I cannot wait to see what’s in the affidavit because I think it’s going to shock us all.”So What Does It Tell Us When Trump's Lawyer Gets Handled Like This?
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are treating Michael Cohen like he’s a lawyer for the mob. That’s how seasoned white collar defense attorneys describe the raid on Cohen’s office, home, and hotel room conducted on April 9. [snip]
Lawyers told The Daily Beast that raiding lawyers’ offices isn’t unheard of—but is generally used for lawyers who work with alleged members of organized crime, or for lawyers who are involved themselves in elaborate criminal schemes.
“It’s a tactic generally used against organized crime, against very serious, very serious criminals and lawyers who are operating outside of the protections of the law,” said Alan Dershowitz, a liberal attorney and frequent critic of Mueller’s tactics.What Does Cohen's Future Look Like?
... The little we know so far — which doesn’t even take into account Cohen’s entanglements with the ever-complicated Russia story — points to a complicated future for one of the president’s most trusted advisers. Josh Campbell, a former assistant to James Comey, may have best captured what awaits Cohen in this quote from a special agent currently with the FBI: “I’ve been an FBI special agent for 20 years and have only seen a handful of searches executed on attorneys. All of those attorneys went to prison.”Trump, his family members and associates are providing a target- rich environment for prosecutors. The Trumps have operated like an organized crime family for decades, expecting hired fixers to keep them out of jail through shadowy transactions, bribery, threats, etc. Since the beginning, the mantra has been "follow the money" if you want to get to the root of Trump's corruption and what his patron Putin has on him. This is just one thread that's being unraveled.
Cohen should take a close look at what's happening to Paul Manafort. Prosecutors are going to squeeze Cohen like a lemon, too.
2 comments:
It's been a harrowing year, but I hope this investigation bears fruit and can be upheld in the necessary courts. I know it's futile to speculate about the outcome because there is so much in play, but just this once could things go our way, the way of decency and honesty and democracy? Please?
No matter what, I'm grateful for Mueller and his extraordinary patience, tenacity, and attention to details. And to the FBI, which has been insulted and upbraided countless times by Trump. Given time and space, they are putting together what we all hope will be airtight cases against all of the crooks and criminals in this administration...and their vainglorious, pumpkin-headed leader.
Please!
There are still many decent people dedicated to seeing justice served in this country. We have to believe that will overcome the unprecedented slime of the Trump regime.
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