FBI/LEGAL/MICHAEL COHEN/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Lawyers for President Donald Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen have asked a federal judge to consider four candidates to review material seized by the FBI that may be protected by attorney-client privilege, rather than let prosecutors look at it first. In a Tuesday [4-17-18] night letter to U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood, Cohen’s lawyers said the candidates, all former federal prosecutors in Manhattan, could serve as a ‘special master’ to review boxes, hard drives and electronic equipment taken in the April 9 raid of Cohen’s home, office and hotel room. Courts often retain special masters who are independent of the parties to handle various matters. Wood has not decided whether to appoint one for the Cohen case, and prosecutors are expected to propose their own list on Wednesday [4-18-18]. Wood’s decision on who can review the materials will have a bearing on how much prosecutors might be about to learn about Cohen’s dealings with Trump and others.”
–Reuters, “Lawyers for Trump Attorney Propose Candidates to Review Seized Files,” The New York Times online, April 18, 2018 12:31 pm