Michael Cohen hit with subpoena in Trump Foundation investigation

Subpoena comes after Mr Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, made comments about the Foundation

Donald Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen has been sent a subpoena by New York state as part of a probe of the Trump Foundation charity.

The subpoena was issued by the New York state tax department after Mr Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, made comments about Mr Cohen having information regarding the Trump Foundation, which is based in the state.

New York state tax department spokesman James Gazzale said the agency would be working with the New York attorney general and Manhattan district attorney as appropriate.

The state's attorney general, Barbara Underwood, filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, three of his children and his foundation in June, saying Mr Trump had illegally used the non-profit as a personal "checkbook" for his own benefit, including his 2016 presidential campaign. The White House has dismissed the suit.

“We cannot comment on potential or ongoing investigations,” Amy Spitalnick, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, said.

“As our lawsuit against the Trump Foundation illustrates, we will hold Donald Trump and his associates accountable for violations of state law, and will seek a criminal referral from the appropriate state agency as necessary,” Ms Spitalnick said.

Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, declined to comment. The subpoena was first reported by the Associated Press.

On Tuesday, Mr Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to eight criminal charges, including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations.

In interviews after the plea, Mr Cohen's lawyer Davis said his client had information of interest to New York state authorities probing the Trump Foundation. He also said Mr Cohen had information of interest to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters at a state fair on Wednesday that Mr Davis had gone “out of his way to say Cohen would be forthcoming on both federal and state investigations.”

Reuters