Report: Cohen Subpoenaed in Trump Foundation Case

He's also suspected of violating NY tax law
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 24, 2018 12:20 AM CDT
Report: New York AG Investigating Cohen Taxes
In this Aug. 21, 2018 photo, Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Trump, leaves federal court after reaching a plea agreement in New York.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)

New York's attorney general is looking to open a criminal investigation into whether Michael Cohen violated state tax law, a person familiar with the matter tells the AP. Attorney General Barbara Underwood has requested a criminal referral from the state tax department to investigate and potentially file charges against Cohen, according to the AP's source. Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, declined to comment on his client's latest legal obstacle. Cohen, the former personal lawyer and "fixer" for Donald Trump, owes at least $1.4 million to the IRS after pleading guilty Tuesday to evading federal taxes. It's unclear if he also misstated his income on state returns.

Cohen was already in contact with state tax officials on another matter, personally calling them the same day he received a subpoena from state investigators looking into the Trump Foundation. A state official confirmed the call but would not divulge the details of the exchange, which came Wednesday just hours after Cohen received the subpoena. It was issued as part of the state's ongoing investigation into Trump and the Trump Foundation to determine whether the Republican commander in chief or his charity broke state law or misstated their tax liabilities. If evidence of alleged crimes is found, the matter could be referred to Underwood, a Democrat, who could pursue criminal charges and seek the release of Trump's tax returns.

(More Michael Cohen stories.)

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