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Michael Cohen Judge Says U.S. Investigations Are ‘Ongoing’

Michael Cohen Judge Says U.S. Investigations Are ‘Ongoing’

(Bloomberg) -- Federal prosecutors told a judge they are continuing to investigate matters stemming from the probe into President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who reported to prison this month after pleading guilty to lying to Congress.

U.S. District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan ruled Tuesday that redactions of sensitive materials in the case should remain in place for now, citing “ongoing aspects of the government’s investigation.” The judge, responding to media requests for more disclosure of information, said prosecutors identified subjects of the ongoing probe in a May 15 status report that was filed under seal.

Pauley directed the government to submit another report under seal by July 15 that identifies any individuals or entities still being investigated and to explain any need for continued redaction.

Lanny Davis, a spokesman for Cohen, declined to comment.

The ruling stems from a request by media organizations for more transparency in the case, and appears to confirm Cohen’s own testimony before Congress that the investigation is ongoing.

Pauley in February said the public is entitled to learn more about the FBI search warrant that led to evidence being seized from Cohen’s home, office and hotel room in April 2018. The judge agreed with the government that some materials must remain secret to protect ongoing investigations.

According to Pauley, the sealed warrant materials identify people who dealt with Cohen in his taxi medallion business, banks to which he made misstatements and firms that paid him consulting fees.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Larson in New York at elarson4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Glovin at dglovin@bloomberg.net, Steve Stroth

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