Publisher of National Enquirer Subpoenaed in Michael Cohen Probe

Apparently, federal authorities have subpoenaed the publisher of the National Enquirer for records related to its $150,000 payment to a former Playboy model for the rights to her story alleging an affair with Donald Trump. The subpoena from Manhattan federal prosecutors requesting information from the publisher, American Media Inc., about its August 2016 payment to Karen McDougal is part of a broader criminal investigation of President Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Investigators are probing any potential efforts by Cohen to suppress damaging information about Trump during the presidential campaign, including whether he coordinated with American Media to pay McDougal and then not publish her account, apparently. Prosecutors are examining whether the payment violated campaign-finance or other laws. American Media hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing, and the company has denied paying McDougal to suppress her story.