The criminal investigation against President Trump’s lawyer has revealed that Fox News host Sean Hannity owns millions of dollars worth of real estate across several states.
According to the Guardian, documents obtained from Trump lawyer Michael Cohen show Hannity has links to several shell companies that bought $90 million on 877 residential properties across seven states.
“Hannity is the hidden owner behind some of the shell companies and his attorney did not dispute that he owns all of them,” the Guardian reported.
The Guardian said documents also show Hannity had “support” from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, but didn’t explain what kind of support. But it noted that Hannity praised HUD Secretary Ben Carson on his show in 2017, without disclosing these links.
“I know you’ve done a good job,” Hannity told Carson when he appeared on his show in June.
Hannity’s lawyer, Christopher Reeves, told the Guardian he would “struggle to find any relevance” in records outlining Hannity’s property holdings, and said Hannity prefers to keep his “legal and personal financial issues private.”
Cohen’s lawyers revealed in court that Hannity is one of Cohen’s clients, but Hannity has said he never formally retained him, and sought him out informally for advice.
Hannity later defended his investments in a statement to the Washington Examiner:
“It is ironic that I am being attacked for investing my personal money in communities that badly need such investment and in which, I am sure, those attacking me have not invested their money,” he said. “The fact is, these are investments that I do not individually select, control, or know the details about; except that obviously I believe in putting my money to work in communities that otherwise struggle to receive such support.”
“I have never discussed with anybody at HUD the original loans that were obtained in the Obama years, nor the subsequent refinance of such loans, as they are a private matter. I had no role in, or responsibility for, any HUD involvement in any of these investments. I can say that every rigorous process and strict standard of improvement requirements were followed; all were met, fulfilled and inspected,” Hannity said.
