Other views: Why we hired Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen AT&T memo to employees

Columbus Nova

The New York investment firm said it retained Michael Cohen “regarding potential sources of capital and potential investments in real estate and other ventures.” Columbus Nova is affiliated with Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg. However, the company said Vekselberg was not involved with the decision to retain Cohen.

“In early 2017, as President Trump was taking office, we hired several consultants to help us understand how the president and his administration might approach a wide range of policy issues important to the company, including regulatory reform at the Federal Communications Commission, corporate tax reform and antitrust enforcement. Companies often hire consultants for these purposes, especially at the beginning of a new presidential administration. ... Cohen did no legal or lobbying work for us, and our contract with Cohen expired at the end of its term in December 2017. It was not until the follow- ing month in January 2018 that the media first reported, and AT&T first became aware of, the current controversy surrounding Cohen.”

Novartis

“With the recent change in administration, Novartis believed that Michael Cohen could advise the company as to how the Trump administration might approach certain U.S. health care policy matters, including the Affordable Care Act. The agreement was for a term of one year, and paid Essential Consultants $100,000 per month. ... In March 2017, Novartis had its first meeting with Michael Cohen under this agreement. Following this initial meeting, Novartis determined that Michael Cohen and Essential Consultants would be unable to provide the services that Novartis had anticipated related to U.S. health care policy matters.”

Korea Aerospace Industries

KAI engaged Cohen’s firm for “legal consulting concerning accounting standards on production costs.”