Prosecutors Submit Redacted Cohen Search Warrant Materials Before Public Release

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for President Donald Trump makes a statement to the news media after testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the... WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for President Donald Trump makes a statement to the news media after testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill February 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. Last year Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine for tax evasion, making false statements to a financial institution, unlawful excessive campaign contributions and lying to Congress as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Federal prosecutors on Thursday submitted redacted search warrant materials in Michael Cohen’s case to Judge William Pauley III. Pauley will now review and sign off on the requested redactions before making the materials publicly available.

The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York noted in its letter that details like Cohen’s phone numbers and safety deposit number are redacted to protect Cohen’s privacy.

Pauley ordered that the search warrant materials be made public at the request of publications including the New York Times and Associated Press, who cited the intense public interest in Cohen’s case.

Pauley said that releasing a redacted version was the appropriate path, cautioning that complete disclosure “would reveal the scope and direction of the Government’s ongoing investigation” and “unveil subjects of the investigation and the potential conduct under scrutiny.”

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Notable Replies

  1. complete disclosure “would reveal the scope and direction of the Government’s ongoing investigation” and “unveil subjects of the investigation and the potential conduct under scrutiny.”

    So much of the “public release” will still be blacked out.

  2. Individual 1 has nothing to worry about. He didn’t use Cohen for any of the collusion with Russia.

  3. Avatar for surge surge says:

    Why are witnesses, judges and prosecutors ruining another great summit for our peace loving leader? Don’t they see they made him very mad? Didn’t they hear about the new rules? It’s peace OR investigations. Not both. You have all been warned.

    Me: pass the popcorn.
    Trump: pass the ‘‘football’’.

  4. I think this is the proper response and I’m gratified to know that at least a few judges on the federal circuit still understand how the law is supposed to function. Give the Current Occupant and Mitch McConnell a few more weeks, and they will all be Federalist Society flunkies.

  5. Sen. Graham: “pass the smelling salts” - "where’s my fainting couch?’

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