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Novartis, AT&T Spoke To Robert Mueller About Payments To Michael Cohen

Swiss drugmaker Novartis and AT&T paid Cohen a combined $1.8 million in exchange for insight into how to navigate the Trump administration.

By: Briana Koeneman

Posted at 8:58 AM, May 10, 2018

and last updated 2018-05-10 08:58:01-04

Investigators working for special counsel Robert Mueller spoke to two companies over payments they made to a firm owned by President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.

According to several reports, Swiss drugmaker Novartis and AT&T paid Cohen a combined $1.8 million in exchange for insight into how to navigate the new administration after Trump took office.

Both companies reportedly paid Cohen through Essential Consultants LLC — the same firm he used to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump.

As Bloomberg points out, these payments aren't illegal — companies are allowed to pay for professional advise. Still, experts say it doesn't paint Novartis and AT&T in the best light.

Both companies say they cooperated with Mueller's office.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.