F.B.I. Raids Office of Trumps Longtime Lawyer Michael Cohen

[mobeau69]

Source: New York Times

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.”

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/us/politics/fbi-raids-office-of-trumps-longtime-lawyer-michael-cohen.html

---

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Happy Days are finnally here.

[George II]

18. The "unofficial" campaign song of Democrats in 1932

[FSogol]

43. And 2020.

[Wellstone ruled]

46. Truman used it in 1948 also.

[George II]

49. Yes. Actually since FDR in 1932, it's remained the unnoficial them song of the Democratic Party....

....but in recent years they (we) haven't used it much.

[Wellstone ruled]

55. A couple days before the 48' elections

can't remember if it was Red network or the Blue Radio stonework,who opened the Radio ad for Truman with that song. We were listening to the Radio Theater Mystery hour when this came on during the Commercial Break.

[George II]

108. Damn, you're older than me, and I thought I was old!! I was born in 1948

[Wellstone ruled]

112. Older than dirt my friend.

Listen to the BBC on the Short Wave On V E Day.

[George II]

114. I was going to use that term about myself. We're not old, we're "wisened"!

[NastyRiffraff]

106. And in Kennedy's 1960 campaign

I remember singing it.

[mobeau69]

119. It was High Hopes by Sinatra.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

129. Interestingly, there is a German song to the same tune,

Wochenend Und Sonnenschein, which was a hit for the Comedian Harmonists in the early 1930s

[Croney]

2. Good!

[politicaljunkie41910]

71. Obviously Jeff Sessions didn't get the memo that he was to protect the President

from the FBI. Time for Sessions to go.

[forgotmylogin]

127. I think Sessions is like a faithful hound dog that's been abused

one too many times: He ain't gonna bite his Master, but he certainly ain't gonna run real fast to summon help when the Master falls down a well either.

[kag]

128. Great analogy! n/t

[Gothmog]

3. Yeah

[lamp_shade]

4. Yikes (5 exclamation points)

[Mr.Bill]

5. Good. Maybe state charges.

No Trump pardon for state charges.

[Sanity Claws]

10. Referral to U.S. Attorney in SDNY

That means federal charges, not state charges.

I'm trying to figure out the underlying crime, maybe FEC violation.

[getagrip_already]

29. depends where the money came from....

if it's russian, it's bigger than the fec.

[Sanity Claws]

33. Yes.

This is Yuuge!

I can't wipe the smile off my face.

[dixiegrrrrl]

68. State charges, I think.

Re:
"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."

Carefully orchestrated, and even predictable, that NY would be able to use state charges for some of the players, because they have jurisdiction and ..esp. ...Trump cannot pardon state charges.
SO important when it comes to people like Cohen.
Whadda bet same with Stone?

Clever Mueller. He knows more law than all of Trump's so called lawyers, past and present.

[Sanity Claws]

70. But if it were state charges

the referral would have been made to NYS Attorney General.

U.S. Attorney's Office does not prosecute state charges.

Mueller made a referral because the crime was outside the range of items that he is charged with investigating. Mueller is being very careful and wants to avoid any legitimate claim that he is acting beyond his authority.

[dixiegrrrrl]

107. Hmmm...I may have mis-read.

Thank you.

but....Mueller certainly is gonna take care of the pardon possibility. Don't know how, but I trust he will.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

80. If those reports are true regarding trump campaign cutting three checks equaling almost exactly...

...$130,000 then there is potential money laundering (structuring) and wire fraud.

[Maeve]

6. To quote someone in a different context

If it means what I think it means, I'm loving it!

[PJMcK]

99. "Especially later in the summer."

You know, just before the midterms.

Enjoy your evening, Maeve!

[Sanity Claws]

7. Referral based on FEC violation?

Is that the underlying crime that seemed to be outside of Mueller's investigation so he referred it to SDNY?

[getagrip_already]

25. probably deeper than that.....

I doubt the sc would get involved if it was a campaign contribution issue. More likely it has something to do with where the money came from. Muehler has flipped a couple of money handlers. Could be some russian money was used to pay her off?

Everyone knows cohen and trump are hiding a wienie here. Not a huge one of course, but a pretty stinky one for sure.

[Sanity Claws]

31. Agree it is probably deeper

than an FEC violation. Just thought that might fall out of Mueller's scope.
I like your possibility. It would also explain why they took tax records.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

83. If there is evidence money was laundered to avoid FEC filings that is wire fraud and...

... maybe money laundering - structuring to avoid filing. I assume there are federal statutes covering attempting to avoid reporting. I've had to take classes on "structuring" to avoid the IRS $10,000 dollar report.

The coverup is always worse than the crime.

[hughee99]

110. If Mueller has evidence that Russian money was used,

Why would he pass this off to someone else? Isn’t that exactly what he is looking into?

[getagrip_already]

121. maybe, maybe not....

He is looking for evidence the russians attempted to influence the elections, that they illegally funneled money to fund campaign activities, and that they had US accomplices.

If it was money laundering or bank fraud unrelated to the election, it might be out of his scope.

[gademocrat7]

8. Good news!

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. From Thursday:

Link to tweet

Mueller sighs and pulls both hands over his face for what seems like eternity. Finally, with a perceptible sag, he rasps, “I guess we’re talking to Stormy Daniels.”

[bettyellen]

57. I hope they nail the thug who threatened her- and whoever was involved in that decision.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Oh shit.

[herding cats]

12. This is interesting.

"The F.B.I. also seized emails, tax documents and business records, the person said."

[louis-t]

13. The same people who want Hillary in prison with no crime

committed are now whining about overreach. Where's my violin? Oh, here it is.

[sdfernando]

62. Dude...that violin is WAY to big!

[sheshe2]

14. Excellent news.

[RandomAccess]

15. I am sooooo thrilled

[George II]

16. Things are getting interesting. Cohen may not be practicing law for much longer.

[vkkv]

17. Woo Hoo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Strelnikov_]

19. Roh-ro

Last edited Mon Apr 9, 2018, 04:43 PM - Edit history (1)

[C Moon]

34. Yuck! :D

[Corgigal]

20. Aaaaah, my favorite message..again

No Knock
No Knock
No Knock

Who's there?

America.

[Chrysanthemum]

21. To raid the office of an attorney

There had to have been some pretty convincing stuff shown to the judge that signed off on the warrant.

[True Blue American]

22. Trump fired

Preet , remember this? They have said they are just acting. Bad move.

http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-fired-u-s-attorney-preet-bharara-says-1497233437-htmlstory.html

[laserhaas]

23. Chances are, this stems from lie that Trump knew nothing

But there was an invoice for $129,000 to Trump organization, 5 days after Cohen claimed he paid the $130,000 of his own accord.

Link to tweet

.

[C Moon]

24. What a fucking joke the guy sitting in the WH seat is. This is 100% embarrasing to the U.S.

It will take a long time for the U.S. to gain respect after we rid ourselves of that bastard.

[dameatball]

58. Actually, if this is done right, we can maybe inspire others in a way.

For so long we have seen ourselves as this shining light among world governments. We have now shown that even we can be subverted and twisted. I see no reason why we cannot hold our heads high once we rid ourselves of this cancer. Not to sound trite, but what we are going through now has happened many times around the world. Maybe now we can say "Me Too" in more ways than one.

[C Moon]

88. Yeah, I guess I said the same thing when Bush was reelected...

But when President Obama came along, I believe we gained back most of that ground.

[dameatball]

91. Good point. Maybe I will temper my optimism.....but......eh....maybe not....:)

[C Moon]

117. I meant that you are probably right. That I felt the same way when Bush was re-elected.

[Mr.Bill]

77. The harder we come down on these people,

the more quickly we will gain that respect. And the less likely it will happen again.

[C Moon]

90. +1

[Gothmog]

26. Special team of FBI agents need to review attorney client materials

Link to tweet

[Mr.Bill]

79. There is no lawyer-client privlege

if they were committing a crime together.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

27. .

[rickford66]

28. The water is up to the port holes.

Even innocent rats have to notice.

[KG]

30. ya can't just go on slagging the security services w/o some pushback

[former9thward]

50. Do you like authoritarianism?

[LanternWaste]

131. You appear to be the only one bringing up authoritarianism... again.

You appear to be the only one bringing up authoritarianism... again.

I'm certain though, you'll pretend your inference was actually someone else's implication... again.

[CatWoman]

32. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

[oberliner]

35. Wow

What does this mean?

[Kingofalldems]

36. This maybe?

Link to tweet

[oberliner]

64. I wonder if its related to Daniels or Trump Tower Moscow

So many possible crimes.

[jberryhill]

81. Trump Tower Moscow

and/or other "real estate" cum "money laundering" business.

The payout to Daniels is relative small potatoes, and statements he's made to media about that have no legal significance.

However, he HAS testified on the subject of Russian real estate dealings with Trump, and Sater was picked up by Mueller just recently.

Sater's long association with Cohen would have provided Mueller a road map of what to look for.

[irisblue]

37. Well well well.

nothing on NPR broadcast as of the time of 4:19

[NurseJackie]

38. Hillary Clinton reacts to hearing the news...

[magicarpet]

61. HRC must be wetting herself giggling at this .....

.... clown car full of Nazi Oligarchic Thugs.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

39. Lawyer-client privilege? It's a thing, even for people you don't like.

Full disclosure: IANAL, and I am sure Robert Mueller is better versed in this arena than I am. Let's see what someone who is a lawyer has to say:

A federal search of an attorney's office is a Very Big Deal, requiring layers of approval, including at DoJ. See USAM 9-13.420 https://www.justice.gov/usam/usam-9-13000-obtaining-evidence …

Link to tweet

“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.”

Link to tweet

[bearsfootball516]

41. Basically means that in order to break the lawyer-client privilege...

Mueller must have proven he has something REALLY big.

[magicarpet]

65. Lawyer assisted client...

.... in perpetrating a criminal act. That crashes right through the lawyer/client wall of privileged communications.

To get the warrant Team Mueller nearly needed to prove that point true for the judge's sig. that activated that search.

[magicarpet]

116. Null and Void

Fox News explains exactly why the Michael Cohen raid should terrify Donald Trump



Fox News explains exactly why the Michael Cohen raid should terrify Donald Trump
Attorney-client privilege doesn't apply if there's "a serious allegation of illegal activity."

Much more at link below.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210470275

[mahatmakanejeeves]

130. On the other hand, Richard W. Painter had this to say:

RogueAltGov Retweeted by RogueAltGov Retweeted: https://twitter.com/RogueAltGov

No, there is a crime fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege, as there has been for centuries. Annesley v. Anglesea (1743), 17 How. St. Tr. 1139.

Link to tweet

[TeamPooka]

42. It's like republicans forgot they voted for a guy with a legit criminal history in fraud.

Oh yeah.

[BigmanPigman]

44. They also raided his hotel room at the Regency.

[Gothmog]

45. The FBI raided Cohen's hotel also

Link to tweet

[FSogol]

56. Did they find Daniel Dennison yet?

[flibbitygiblets]

75. When the supposed POTUS has an actual pornstar name.

Such a proud moment in American history.

[Books_Tea_Alone]

47. I was a little depressed today & vowed to take a break..

...from the news after everything T. rump related just seems too much. I'm on vacation this week and was just reading quietly and saw the news. My mood had changed and looks like I have taken the right week off!

[WiseElder]

48. they found a bunch of rolled up magazines with Trump's picture on them.

Wonder what the lawyer needed them for?

[lunatica]

51. What would Ray Donovan do?!

Except piss his pants!

🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕 <————— message to Cohn and Trump. Hahahahahahaaa!

[Still In Wisconsin]

52. I wonder how long TRUMP will remain "just a subject" of the investigation and not a target...

I don't think the FBI commonly raids the offices of lawyers who have only innocent clients!

[Tatiana]

53. Hell yes!

I love MuellerTime! He is saving this nation.

[magicarpet]

54. Just imagine what it like talking to Cohen.....

.... While the slimy, smarmy, and arrogant bastard is lying his ass off and thinks he is 10X smarter than you. But you know better, he is the epitome of being a slug idiot thug who only travels under the delusion he is real smart and debonair.

My first inclination would be to just shoot the prick in the knee - just to show him who is boss - and to convey the message if he persists to act like a jack off I will take aim at and plug his other knee.

[brooklynite]

59. Interesting perspective I've read: This means Mueller DOESN'T see Trump as a suspect...

If he did, raiding his lawyer's office would do immense harm to his case.

[bearsfootball516]

67. Where did you read that?

[magicarpet]

76. If Team Mueller can prove...

That Cohen assisted tRdump in committing a criminal act - the attorney/client privileged communications rule is rendered null and void.

There must be by now a laundry list of criminal acts Cohen "fixed" for tRdump that Mueller is well aware of.

The Oval Office prize was the biggest fucked up mess tRdump could have conceivably ever gotten himself into.

TRdump is a cheap low rent criminal thug and his family enterprise is an elaborate international money laundering crime syndicate. The whole thing is fraying and collapsing as the world stands by in absolute pleasure witnessing these events.

[Cosmocat]

104. Yep

Spot on last paragraph.

[TygrBright]

60. oopsie!

This is not a small thing.

Given how ultra-carefully everything even peripherally connected with the Mueller investigation is handled by the FBI and DOJ, the decision to actually issue the warrant, set up the review team (and it will have to be a VERY special, VERY high-level, VERY discreet agent team, because attorney/client communications are a whole 'nother level of legally hazardous material for investigators), and then execute the warrant, must have considerable impetus behind it.

IOW, this is NOT a "fishing expedition." They're looking for something specific and they have good reason to suppose that Cohen's files are where to look for it.

Expect loud noises and chaotic tweets from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 3...2...

interestedly,
Bright

[magicarpet]

69. The bombing of Syria, North Korea, and Iran...

.... starts as soon as John Bolton gets parked behind his desk as the new National Security Czar.

[Stuart G]

63. There is only one thing about this we know for sure..Trump/Cohen..did NOT expect this..

Trump/Cohen crowd couldn't have expected this...ever..............................................

......So this must be something really big.................perhaps something threatening the country??who knows??
.......But just wait till we hear from Mr.Drump...Now..will he fire Mueller ??....cause Drump is going to the dump....

[Cognitive_Resonance]

66. Ha Ha...listen to them squeal. nt

[ailsagirl]

72. Getting closer...

[LiberalLovinLug]

73. I just want to see a clip some day

Of Trump being led away and a group of protesters/onlookers chanting "LOCK HIM UP!"

[woodsprite]

74. Better late than never, I guess. n/t

[bucolic_frolic]

78. We may actually find out

all about the organization in New York. Real estate. Hotels. Activities. Financing. Condos. and more.

This just doesn't seem to me like a sideshow to the SC investigation, or if it is, it would be a big deal
even if Trump weren't occupying the Oval Office or if there were no SC investigation. This is comprehensive,
locally, and perhaps internationally.

The timing is significant too, IMO. Not a late week, 7pm plea deal. The whole thing on a Monday, during business
hours, perfect for the evening news and the rest of the week, for all to see.

If Trump plans to fire Mueller, this will flush him out. Hardball has begun.

[Doodley]

82. Turns out to be a pretty good day after all!

[Gothmog]

84. Statement from Michael Cohen's attorney

Link to tweet

[erlewyne]

100. could this have anything to do with a presidential pardon?

Trump cannot pardon Cohen for a New York crime?

This seems odd!

[IcyPeas]

85. but wouldn't they have already gotten rid of anything....

that could get them in trouble? just on the off-chance that this could have happened?

[Mr.Bill]

93. They are not that smart.

I think there's a better chance that they thought anything in Cohen's office was protected under attorney client privilege. In fact, if they though it was a safe haven, it could be a real jackpot.

[yurbud]

86. please get him out of office before he can start a war.

[Progressive2020]

87. Attorney Client Privilege

My understanding is that Attorney-Client Privilege can be pierced if the Lawyer helps the Client commit a Crime. From what I have heard some News Pundits say about this, I suspect that Cohen used Trump Campaign Funds to pay off Stormy Daniels, probably with Trump's knowledge and assistance. That would be illegal, and would allow the Investigators to raid Cohen's Office with a warrant.

The thing is, in this seizure, they well might dredge up other evidence of criminality between Trump and Cohen that might not be directly related to the Stormy Daniels payoff. I am not a lawyer, but I have heard some of this speculated on TV by lawyers, including Stormy Daniel's lawyer. I am very encouraged by this event. I think that the noose is closing around Trump's neck.

[NBachers]

89. They haven't just placed a shot across the bow, they've taken out the mainmast.

[Gothmog]

92. It is not Mueller but the US Attorney for SD NY doing the searches

Link to tweet

[OilemFirchen]

94. Just FTR...

Cohen has other clients. Consider this before jumping to conclusions.

[greatauntoftriplets]

95. I bet that Spanky's shitting his pants.

[orangecrush]

105. I bet

you're right!

[radical noodle]

96. I hope they find the passport

that proves the item in the dossier about Cohen and Russia.

[Blue_Tires]

97. Expect Donnie to launch about 100

Tomahawk missiles at Syria in the next 24 hours....

[Raven123]

98. So potus said to ask Cohen about the patout

And the FBI obliged. Works for me.

[Progressive2020]

101. Trump's Guilt

You would think that if Trump has any brains, he would really be sweating right now. The biggest mistake of his life was running for the Presidency. Trump could have stayed ensconced in his New York City luxury life. Instead, his colossal ego compelled him to stain our Nation by running for and attaining the Presidency. Now he is under a microscope and a his lifetime of shady deals and cons is likely going to unravel.

He is an awful person who brought this down on his own head, with hubris, stupidity, and arrogance. The most important qualities of a President includes character, stability, morality, and intelligence. This is why Trump is the worst President in history. He has none of those qualities.

That is also why Obama was one of the best Presidents. He had these qualities in spades, and went eight years with no real scandals, not even the scent of one. Trump is going down. I am glad that he has basically destroyed his own life by becoming President. I really wish that he had never run. He needs to be thrown out of office so that America can recover from his sociopathic Presidency.

[DiverDave]

118. Very well said

👍👍

[pecosbob]

102. My take is this is likely about money-laundering

We've all known his businesses have been laundering cash from overseas since legitimate lenders stopped taking calls from him. These are not Rhodes scholars. They've been laundering money for thirty years and all that money leaves a glowing trail. When all the dust settles, given his past, it's going to look really stupid for Trump to have ever considered running for public office.

[orangecrush]

103. Good news

On a Monday, yet!

[SunSeeker]

109. Trump just called the Cohen raid "an attack on our country and what we stand for."

He kept saying "it's a disgrace." Blamed the stock market drop today on it. LOL

Then he said Hillary "acid-washed" emails and "deleted 33,000 emails" and "nobody is looking into that."

Full. Blown. Meltdown.

[mobeau69]

111. It certainly was a full blown meltdown. He called the legal raid a break-in. Geez-o-pete!

He's going to fire Mueller and a Constitutional crisis is at hand.

[SunSeeker]

115. Yes, my hubbie interpreted those remarks as Shitler intending to fire Mueller. nt

[ancianita]

113. THE big thing is Cohen, as deputy director of the GOP finance leadership team, meeting with Russians

and then how he handled money for Trump, and now, where it came from and how it was conveyed.

Stormy Daniels is possibly part of Cohen's pattern of "fixing," covering up Trump's crimes.

[liberalla]

120. Wow! my first chance to get online and check news today... and WOW!!!

got to start reading now!

[vercetti2021]

122. Haha

[RainCaster]

123. Lawrence O'Donnell is killing it tonight

One more nail in 45s coffin.

[Wawannabe]

124. I didnt read through every reply

So hope I am not repeating..

I liken this move to taking a mafia boss down through tax evasion. If you can’t pin the obvious on him then pin whatever the hell will stick and then go from there!
See ya’ll in jail.
Woohoo!
Roll tide right to the shithouse door.

[OliverQ]

125. Brace yourselves. Trump is livid over this and is hinting at firing Mueller.

I could definitely see Mueller getting fired this week over this.

[BobTheSubgenius]

126. The word "mouthpiece" comes to mind.

Dated, for sure...but what says "mob lawyer" better than a 1940's detective story nickname?