Updated at 5:49 p.m. on April 14
Special counsel Robert Mueller has obtained evidence that Michael Cohen traveled to Prague in 2016 — affirming an allegation made in the so-called “Trump dossier,” according to a new report.
Cohen has rejected accusations made in the dossier, which was composed by former British spy Christopher Steele, and said last January he had “never been to Prague in my life” in a tweet with an image of his passport.
I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews pic.twitter.com/CMil9Rha3D
— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) January 11, 2017
Sources familiar with the situation told McClatchy that Mueller had secured proof that Cohen did make a trip to Prague just months before the 2016 election and entered the Czech Republic via Germany. Moving from Germany to Prague would not have required a passport since both Germany and the Czech Republic are part of the Schengen Area that allows 26 European states to function with open borders.
It is still uncertain though if Mueller has evidence that Cohen met with Konstantin Kosachev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his time in Prague as the dossier claims. The U.S. recently issued sanctions on 24 Russian oligarchs — Kosachev being one of them.
Cohen adamantly denied the McClatchy report, calling it a “bad story” based on “bad reporting” and information.
Bad reporting, bad information and bad story by same reporter Peter Stone @McClatchyDC. No matter how many times or ways they write it, I have never been to Prague. I was in LA with my son. Proven! https://t.co/ra7nwjUA0X
— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) April 14, 2018
Some aspects of the dossier, including communications between foreign nationals, have been confirmed by officials, but large portions of the scandalous allegations connecting Trump to Russia have not been verified.
The report comes after it was revealed earlier Friday that Cohen has been investigated for months in a criminal probe looking at his “personal business dealings.
On Monday, Cohen’s home and office were raided by FBI agents — a move that was reportedly approved by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Mueller is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 election and if the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin.
