Investigators working for special counsel Robert Mueller spoke to two companies over payments they made to a firm owned by President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.
According to several reports, Swiss drugmaker Novartis and AT&T paid Cohen a combined $1.8 million in exchange for insight into how to navigate the new administration after Trump took office.
Both companies reportedly paid Cohen through Essential Consultants LLC — the same firm he used to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump.
As Bloomberg points out, these payments aren't illegal — companies are allowed to pay for professional advise. Still, experts say it doesn't paint Novartis and AT&T in the best light.
Both companies say they cooperated with Mueller's office.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
