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The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly raided the office of President Trump’s personal lawyer in the latest legal development to hit the White House.
The New York Times report of the raid into Michael Cohen’s office was confirmed by Cohen’s own lawyer, who called the search “completely inappropriate and unnecessary.” Other media outlets subsequently reported the news.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the raid was conducted at Cohen’s home, office and hotel room.
The reports said federal prosecutors received a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller but added that the search apparently was not directly related to Mueller’s investigation.
Mueller is charged with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, including any links to Trump’s presidential campaign, as well as any matters that arise from that investigation.
The records that were seized relate to Cohen’s $130,000 payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels as well as emails, tax documents and business records, according to the New York Times report.
Daniels has alleged she had a brief affair with the president. She’s suing to end a nondisclosure agreement that she agreed to on the eve of the 2016 presidential election.
The New York Times report appeared in the closing minutes of Monday’s session, and was a drag on the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.19% , which closed with a slim, 46-point gain, after what was called the worst final-hour stock-market performance in years.