The firm forged a strategic alliance with the lawyer and his firm last year
Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) is distancing itself from Michael Cohen, US President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer.
On Monday, US Federal Bureau of Investigation agents raided the lawyer’s Manhattan office, home, and hotel room, The Washington Post said. Unnamed sources said that Cohen was being investigated for alleged bank fraud, wire fraud, and campaign finance violations.
After news of the raid came out, SPB said in a statement that it has ended its relationship with the lawyer. In April last year, the international firm formed a “strategic alliance” with Michael D. Cohen and Associates to collaborate on representing clients worldwide. Cohen is said to have had an office at SPB.
“[The] arrangement with Mr. Cohen reached its conclusion, mutually and in accordance with the terms of the agreement,” SPB said. “We have been in contact with federal authorities regarding their execution of a warrant relating to Mr. Cohen.”
The firm said that the activities do not relate to the firm, which is “in full cooperation” with US authorities.
Trump has slammed the FBI raid on Cohen’s office, home, and hotel room as “disgraceful” and “an attack on what we all stand for.” He said Cohen is a “good man.”
Cohen has been making headlines recently in the US for a payment of US$130,000 to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Cohen has admitted to facilitating the payment in 2016.
Clifford alleges she had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. She currently has a case to void a non-disclosure agreement between her and Trump.
