Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Investigators on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team questioned pharmaceutical company Novartis—which paid a shell company owned by Michael Cohen—in November 2017, according to a statement from the company obtained by Politico. “Novartis cooperated fully with the Special Counsel’s office and provided all the information requested,” a Novartis spokeswoman said in a statement. “Novartis considers this matter closed as to itself and is not aware of any outstanding questions regarding the agreement.” Cohen’s company, Essential Consultants, which was used to make a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, was also hired by Novartis, AT&T, and Korea Aerospace, and Columbus Nova—a firm that is connected to a Russian oligarch. Novartis claims they entered an agreement with Cohen in February 2017, and that Cohen “reached out” to them “promising help gaining access to Trump and influential officials in the new administration[.]” Korea Aerospace Industries also stated that it hired Essential Consultants for “ consulting services on accounting matters,” according to Reuters.