'Special master' will review documents seized from Trump lawyer, judge rules

A federal judgeruled on Thursday that a court-appointed independent officialcalled a special master should be the first to examine documentsseized by FBI agents from U.S. President Donald Trump's personallawyer, Michael Cohen.

The agents raided Cohen's office and home on April 9, anaction that infuriated the president. Prosecutors said they havebeen investigating the lawyer for months, largely over hisbusiness dealings rather than his legal work.

The seizure of the documents has led to a legal spat as towho should be allowed to review them, with lawyers for Cohen andTrump seeking to limit what prosecutors could see, citingattorney-client privilege.

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump called Cohena good guy but said he handled only "a tiny, tiny little fraction" of his overall legal work.

The prosecutors initially said the documents should bereviewed by a "taint team" of lawyers within their own office, who would be walled off from the main prosecution team. Cohenargued that his lawyers should get a first look.

In the end, the judge ruled that an independent specialmaster should get a first look, an option that both sides had indicated they would be open to.

They're looking at something having to do with his business. I have nothing to do with his business.- U.S. President Donald Trump

Barbara Jones, a former federal judge in the SouthernDistrict of New York who has overseen cases ranging from organized crime to corporate compliance, will decide which of the documents should be handed over to prosecutors.

Jones will review the documents and determine which may beshielded by attorney-client privilege.

"The letters I received from counsel for Mr. Cohen and theintervenors has convinced me that this process can go quicklywith the special master, assuming everyone works as hard as youhave represented you will work," said U.S. District Judge KimbaWood.

Cohen sat in court to hear the decision, wearing a darksuit, white shirt, and pale yellow tie.

Stephen Ryan, a lawyer for Cohen, called Jones "a wonderfulchoice" to be special master.

'Crazy deal'

In the Fox News interview, Trump said that he had nothing todo with the criminal investigation into the lawyer.

The Cohen probe "doesn't have to do with me," Trump said."They're looking at something having to do with his business. Ihave nothing to do with his business."

Trump also confirmed for the first time that Cohen hadrepresented him in "this crazy Stormy Daniels deal," referring to an adult-film star who says she had a one-night stand withTrump in 2006.

Prosecutors are investigating Cohen for possible bank andtax fraud, possible campaign law violations in connection with apayment to Daniels, and perhaps other matters related to Trump'spresidential campaign, a person familiar with the probe hassaid.

The investigation stemmed in part from special counselRobert Mueller's probe into possible collusion between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, something that Trump hasrepeatedly denied.

Cohen has admitted paying $130,000 US to Daniels, whose realname is Stephanie Clifford, before the 2016 election to secureher silence about the one-night stand she said she had withTrump. Cohen said the payment was legal, and Daniels has sued toend her nondisclosure agreement.

Trump, who has denied having an affair with Daniels, saidCohen did nothing wrong in representing him in the Daniels case.

"There were no campaign funds going into this, which would havebeen a problem," he told Fox.