Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 1 of 42 ÂO 106 Frtffim (Rcv 04/10) Applicatron {br a Sc'arch W¡rrant uNtrnn srares Dlsrrucr couRT AUû " I 20li fbr the tlerK, U.S. Distriot & Bdnhl llpiijY Corrrls f or the t)islrict of 0olttltthiir District of Columbia In the Matter of the Search of Case: 1 :17-mj-00548 BerYlA' X=tt""o To . Howell' î=rìä. ó"t" ' 8t1t2a17 seizure Warrant ôåËåtioi.î search and (lìriefly ¿l¿sç¡'¡6e the property to he searched or iilentifu the person lD'name attd acldress) INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMAIL ACCOUNT MCOHEN@TRUMPORG.COM APPLICATION FOR A SEARCH WARRANT I, a federal law enforcement oft-rcer or an attolney for the government, request a search warrant and state under penalty of perjury that I have reason to believe that on the f'ollorving person or property (identiþ the personordescribe the property to be searched and give íts location): See Attachment A. located in the Western District of Washington , there is now concealed (dentifi the person or describe the properly to be seized)i See Attachment B. This warrant is sought pursuant to 18 U.S.C. SS 2703(a), 2703(bX1XA), and 2703(cX1XA). Tlre basis for the search under Fed. R. Crim. P. devidence 4I (c) is (check one ar nrore)i of a crime; dcontraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed; dproperty designed for use, intended for fl use, or used in committing a crime; a person to be arrested or a person who is urrlawfully restrained. The search is related to a violatio¡r of: Code Section 18 U.S.C. S 951; 18 U.S.C. S 1014; 18 U.S.C. S 1344 Offense Description Acting as a foreign agent without notice to the Attorney General; False Statements to a financial institution Bank Fraud The application is based on these facts: See attached Affidavit. I 0 Continued on the attached sheet. of _-- days (give exact ending date if more than 30 days U.S.C. $ 3 103a, the basis of which is set forth on the attached sheet. ) is requested Delayed notice under I I signalure SpecialAgent, FBI Prinled name and l¡tle Sworn to before me and signed in my presence Date: aao1n017 Judge's signature City and state: Washington, D.C. Hon. BerylA. Howell, Chief U.S. Dístrict Judge Printed name and title Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 2 of 42 Få,LHffi AUG IN THE UNI'TED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR ]'I.IE DISTRIC'f OF COLUMBIA IN THE MATTER OF THE SEARCH OF INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WIl'H TI.{E EMAIL ACCOUNT MCOHEN@TRUMPORG.COM - T 20lf U.$. í)islrlct & lJankrrrptcy ,.['l¿rír, u0urts f0r thr lJistrict of Cof uinbia Case: 1:17*mj-00548 Assigned To . Howell, BerylA. Assign. Date : 81112017 Description: Search and Seizure Warrant AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FqR A SEARCH WARRANT being first duly sworn, hereby depose a¡rd state as follows: I, INTRODUCTION AND AGENT BACKGROUND l. I make this afhdavit information associated with in suppoÉ the email of an application for a search address provided warra¡rt for for the email account mcohen@trumporg.com (hereinafter the "Target Account"), that is stored at premises owned, maintained, controlled, or operated by Microsoft, an email provider headquartered at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 (hereinafter "Microsoft"). The information to be searched is desuibed in the following paragraphs and in Attachment of an application for a search warrant under l8 A. This affidavit is made in support U.S.C. $$ 2703(a), 2703(bXlXA) arrd 2703(c)(l)(A) to require Microsoft to disclose to the government copies of the information (including the content of communications) further described in Attachment A. Upon receipt of the infonnation described in Attachment A, government-authorized persons information to locate the items described in Attachment B. will review that Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 3 of 42 3. The fàcts in this aflidavit come from my personal observations, my training and experience. and infonnatio¡r obtained frorn other agents and witnesses. This affìdavit is intended to show merely that there is suffìcient probable cause for the requested warrant and does not set forth allof my knowledge about this matter. 4. Based on my training and experience and the facts as set forth in this affidavit, there is probable cause to believe that MICI-IAEL DEAN COHEN has committed violations of l8 U.S.C. $ l0l4 (false statements to a financial institution), lS U.S.C, $ 1344 (bank fraud), $ I956 (money laundering), U.S.C. $ 6l I l8 l8 U.S.C. U.S.C. $ 951 (acting as an unregistered foreign agent), and22 er seq. (Foreign Agents Registration Act) (the "subject Offenses"). There also is probable cause to search the information described in Attachment A for evidence, contraband, fruits, and/or instrumentalities of the Subject Offenses, further described in Attachment B. JURISDICTION 5. This Court has jurisdiction to issue the requested warrant because it is "a court of competent jurisdiction" as defined (cXlXn). Specifically, by 18 U.S.C. $ 2711. Id. $$ 2703(a), (bXlXA), & the Court is "a district court of the United States (including a magistrate judge of such a court) . . . that has jurisdiction over the offense being investigated." l8 U.S.C. $ 27r l(3XAX ). PROBABLE CAUSE 6. As described below, the FBI is investigating COHEN in connection with, inter alia, statements he made to a known fìnancial institution (hereinafter "Bank l ") in the course of opening 2 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 4 of 42 a bank account held in the name of frssential Consultants, I.LC and controlled by COHEN. The FBI also is investigating COHEN in connection with funds he received from e¡ltities controlled by foreign governments and/or lbreign principals, and the activities in which he engaged in the United States on the¡r behalf without properly disclosing such relationships to the United States government. 7. On July 18,2017, this Court, based in paft on certain of the information set forth below, issued a warrant to search a separate email account with a different service provider, @gmail.corn (the "Gmail Account"), based on a finding of probable cause. Copies of the warrant to search the Cmail Account and accompanying affìdavit are attached hereto as Attachment C and incorporated herein. As set forth in more detail below, there is probable cause to believe that COHEN used both the Target Account and the Gmail Account while cornmitting the Subject Offenses. A. 8. Michael Cohen According to press reports and bank records collected during the investigation, COHEN served for over a decade as an executive in the Trurnp Organization, an intemational conglomerate with real estate and other holdings formerly controlled by President Donald Trump priorto his presidency. Until approximately January 2017, COHEN was reported to have held various positions within the Trump Organization. During an interview withThe Wall Street Journal in or around January 2017, COHEN described his role as being "the fix-it guy. . . . Anything that [then-President-elect Trump] needs to be done, any issues that concern him, I handle."r 9. In or around January 2017, COHEN made public statements that he would resign I "lntelligence Dossier Puts Longtime Trump Fixer in Spotlight," Ilall 2017. J Street Journal, Jan. 11, Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 5 of 42 fiom the Trump Organization to serve as the personal attorney for Ptesideltt Trump (serving as an attorney to the President in his personal capacity, as opposed to as a mentberof'the White Flouse Counsel's Office). COIìEN recently has identified himself publicly-including on his personal Twittcr account-as a personal attorney for thc President, and ceflain emails obtainecl pursuant to the warrant to search the Gmail Account identify Cohen as "Pcrsonal Attorney to President l)o¡rald J. Trump." B. 10. Essential Consultants, LLC In or around June 201 7, federal agents reviewed infonnation suppliecl by an F'DIC- insured bank ("Bank 1") based on activity that Bank t had observed from a nu¡nber of accounts related to COHEN. According to information provided by Bank since approximately June 201I and controls several checking l, COHEN has been a customer ancl loan accounts at Bank l, some in his personal name and others in the narnes of corporate entities. Agents have subsequently reviewed documents and records provided by Bank I related to COHEN and these various accounts. ll. opened Records provided by Bank a new checkiug account I showthat on or about October 26,2016, COHEN in the ¡rame of Essential Consultants, LLC ("Essential Consultants"); COHEN was the only authorized signatory on the account. On the paperwork associated with opening the account, COHEN listed the Target Account as his e-mail address for contact purposes. Corporate records show that Essential Consultants is a Delaware entity formed by COHEN on or about October 17,2016. 12. According to information provided by Bank 1, when COIJEN opened the Essential Consultants account, he made the fbllowing representations during the course of Bank your customer ("KYC") procedures: 4 I's know Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 6 of 42 a. that he was opening Essential Consultants as a real estate consulting company to collect fees lor investment consulting work; b. that he intended to use his experience in real estate to consult on cornmercial arrd residential real estate deals; c. that his typical clients were expected to be high net-worth donrestic individuals; and d. that his purpose in setting up the account was to keep the revenue from his consulting-which he saicl was not his main sor¡rce of income-separâte from his personal finances. 5 Case Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 7 of 42 Case Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 8 of 42 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 9 of 42 D. 20, Representations to Bank I about Net Worth to Financial Institutions In connection with the ongoing investigation, the govemment has reviewed other representations COHEN has made to Bank I and other financial institutions, including representations regarding his net worth and financial health made during the course I of loan Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 10 of 42 applications. A review to date has iderrtified substantial inconsistencies in COHEN's stated assets, liabilities, and net worth in separate loan applications subr¡itted between 2013 and20l7. 21. For example, in or arouncl July 201 3, COIJEN submitted a "Statement of Financial Condition" as of July I,2Aß to Bank l. assets and liabilities, as The document purpoÍed to lay out COHEN's various well as lris net worth. On the docurnent, COI{EN claimed to have assets totaling approximately $87,190,000 and liabilities of approximately $9,550,000. On the same document, COHEN claimed to have a net worth of approximately $70,600,000. 22. In or around October 2014, COHEN submitted a "Statement of Financial Condition" as of August 1,2014 to Bank l. The document purported to lay out COHEN's various assets and liabilities, as well as his net worth. O¡1 the document, COI-IEN claimed to have assets totaling approximately $99,420,000 and liabilities of approximately $23,550,000. On the same document, COHEN claimed to have a net worth of approximately $75,870,000. 23. In or around February 2016, in connection with opening the $500,000 HELOC described above, COHEN submitted a summary of his assets, liabilities, and net worth to Bank 1. COHEN claimed to have assets totaling approximately $63,435,315 and liabilities of approximately \ $10,419,209. On the same document, COHEN claimed to have a net worth of approximately $53,016,106. 24. On or about June 8, 2017, COHEN sent an email from his Gmail account to an employee of a diflerent FDlC-insured financial institution ("Bank 5") a "statement of Financial Condition" as of May 1,2017.6 On the document, COHEN claimed to have assets totaling 6 Bank records show that COHEN has a lending relationship with a known IrDlC-insured financial institution ("Bank 5") that uses New York taxi medallions as collateral. According to the same statement, closely held entities controlled by COHEN had approximately $20,000,000 in notes payable to Bank 5; the debt was secured by rnedallions with a total market value of only $13,950,000. 9 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 11 of 42 approximately $41,955,000 and liabilities of approximately $39,130,000. On the same document, COHEN clairned to ltave a net worth of approximately $2,825,000. B. Foreign Transactions in the Esscntial Consultants Account rvith a Russian Nexus 25. As set forth ahove, irr or aroullcl October 2016, COHITN made set'eral representations to Bank I in connection with the bank's KYC review process" including that he expected funds deposited into the Essential Consultants account would constitute incotne lrorn his consulting work, that his consulting clients were expected to be domestic (that is, within the United States), and that he expected his clients to be LJ.S.-based, high-net worth individuals. 26. Records obtained from Bank I show substantial transactional activity to be inconsistent with these KYC representations. Bank I that appears records show that the account received numerous deposits from foreign businesses and entities that do not reflect the stated client profile for the residential and commercial real-estate consulting services ostensibly being provided by Essential Consultants. Moreover, public records, media reports, and other publicly available sources, as well as emails obtained pursuant to the warrant to search the Gmail Account, indicate that some of these companies have signifrcant ties to foreign governments or are entities controlled by foreign governments. 27 . A search in or around July 2017 of the I-,I.S. Department of .lustice database of all agents ourrently or previously registered under the Foreign Agent Registration Act ("FARA") confirmed that neither COHEN nor Essential Consultants is or has been a registered agent of a foreign government.T All FARA registration is handled by the U.S. National Security Division in Washington, D.C. ? The database is publicly available at https://www.fara.gov/ 10 Department of Justice's Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 12 of 42 i. 28, Deposits by Columbus Nova" LLC Telephone records related to COHEN's cellular telephone show that on or about November 8, 2016, the day of the presidential election, a telephone registered to COI{EN exchanged the first in a series of text messages with the CEO of Columbus Nova, LLC ("Columbus Nova"). Illetween approximately November 8,2016 and July 14,2017, telephone records shorv over 230 telephone calls and 950 text messages were exchanged between COHEN's cellular telephone and the CEO of Columbus Nova. Telephone records show no such text messages or telephone calls between COHEN's cellular telephone and the CEO of Columbus Nova prior to November 8,2016. 29. Public records show thal Colurnbus Nova, LLC is an investment management firm controlled by Renova Group ("Renova"), an industrial holding company based in Zurich, Switzerland. According to public news accounts, Renova is controlled by Viktor Vekselberg, a wealthy Russian national. Public news accounts also report that Vekselberg is an oligarch with various connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin who publicly met with Putin as recently as in or around March 2017.8 According to the news articles, Vekselberg and Renova cun'ently are involved in various infrastructure projects in Russia, such as the building of an airport in Rostov in advance of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which is to be held in Russia. Vekselberg has been involved in various symbolic acts seen to be in the Russian rrational interest, such as the purchase and repatriation of historic Faberge eggs.e 8 See, e.g., o'Russia's Putin Meets Tycoon Vekselberg," Reuters,Mar. 14,2017. e On or about September 5, 2016, media outlets reported that Russian authorities arested two of Vekselberg's closest associates in connection with allegations that a subsidiary had paid over $12 million in bribes to Russian government officials. Some media accounts speculated that the arrest of Vekselberg's associates, as well as the commensurate searches of Renova's head office, were intended as a warning from the Russian government that it wanted some form of cooperation or 1l Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 13 of 42 30. O¡r or about February 10. 2017, Cohen, through his Coogle email account, received an email from an employee of Colurnbus Nova. infonning him that his name had becn aclded to Columbus Nova's security list at its office building. Thc Columbus Nova employee also told Cohen that his ofTice would be would be available shortly. 3 L Accord ing to records obtained from Bank I through June 30, 2017 , in the first six months oî2017, the EssentialConsultants bank account received six deposits, each in the amount of $83,333 (for a running total of $499,998). The funds for all six deposits-five of which were wire transfers and orre by check-came from an accourlt at another bank held in the name of Columbus Nova, LLC. 32. Records obtained from the financial institution ("Bank 4") where the Columbus Nova account is located show that the funds used to pay COHEN originated from a second account in the name of Renova US Management LLC ("Renova US"). For example, on or about January 27,2017, the Columbus Nova account at Bank 4 received a deposit of $83,333 from an account held in the name of Renova US. The same day, a oheck for $83,333 and drawn on the Columbus Nova account at Bank 4 was made out to Essential Consultants LLC. On or about March 2,2017, the Columbus Nova account at Bank 4 received $83,333 from the Renova US account. The same day, the Columbus Nova account was used to $83,333 the Essential Consultants account at Bank I . On or about March 3l ,2017 , the Columbus Nova account at Bank 4 received $83,333 from the Renova US account. The same day, the Columbus Nova account was used to wire $83,333 to the Essential Consultants account at Bank l. The government continues to investigate why the funds used to pay COI{EN have treen wired through this Columbus Nova account as opposed to coming value from Vekselberg. See, e.g., "Another Billionaire Incurs Putin's Wratho" Bloomberg,Sept. 6,2016. t2 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 14 of 42 directly from the Renova US accor¡nt. ¡i. 33. Plan to Lift Russian Sanctions On or about Febru ary 19,2017 , The New York Times published an afticle reporting that COHEN had been involved in distributing a proposed plan to the tlren-National Security Aclviser, Michael T. Flynn, for the United States to lift sanctions on Russia as part of a rregotiated end to the hostilities in Ukraine. The terms of the proposal appear to have been favorable to the Russians, according 34. to The Nev, York Times article.l0 According to the article, prior to meeting with Flynn, COHEN had been approached by a Ukrainian politician ("Person 2") and a Russian-American businessman ("Person 3") who had prior business dealings with COHEN and the Trump Organization. The news report stated that Person 3 had previously been responsible for scouting deals in Russia for the Trump Organization through.his company; that COI{EN met personally with both Person 2 and Person 3 about the proposal; and that during the meeting with Person 3, COHEN received the written plan in a sealed envelope. 35. The news report further stated that COHEN confirmed that he met with Person 2 and'Person 3 and received the plan in u r"ul"d envelope, and that in or around February 2017, COHEN then traveled to the White House, met the President in the Oval Office, and left the proposal in the oflice occupied by then-National Security Adviser Flynn. According to the news report, COHEN stated that he was waiting for a response at the time that Flynn was forced from his post as the National Security Adviser. 36. r0 Telephone records reviewed during the investigation show that, between January "A Back-Channel Plan for Ukraine and Russia, Courtesy Tímes, Feb. 19,2017. l3 of Trump Associates," New York Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 15 of 42 5, 2017 and February 70,2017. a cellular telcphone registerecl to COIJEN and a telephone registered to Person 3 exchanged approximately twenty ZÙfi,a call calls. Sirnilarly, on or about January I l. was exchanged between a cellular telcphone registered to COHEN and a teleplrone registered to Flynn. 37. The lJnited States continues to investigate if any of the payments or financial relationships described above. or other relationships descríbed fr¡rther below, wcre connected to COHEN's involvement in the clistribution of a plarr to lilt Russian sanctions. F. Other Foreign Transactions in thc Esscntial Consultants Account i. 38. Deposits by Korea Aerospace Industries Ltcl. According to Bank l, on or about May 10,2017 and June 9,2017, the Essential Consultants bank account received two deposits in the amount $150,000 (totaling $300,000 between the two deposits) from a bank account in Seoul, South Korea. According to documents obtained from Bank lndustries Ltd. l, the account holder frorn which the money was sent is Korea Aerospace ("KAI"). According to its public website, KAI is a South Korea-based company that produces and sells fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter aircraft, and satellites. Public news accounts report that KAI has partnered with Lockheed Martin to bid later this year on a $16 billion U.S. Air Force T-X Trainer Jet Replacement Program. 39. On or about April 28,2017, COHEN, using the Gmail account, sent an email to another individual with the subject "K Project." ln the email, COHEN attached a document purporting to be a "Consulting Agreement" between KAI and Essential Consultants LLC that was to enter into effect on May 1,2017. The document indicates that Essential Co¡rsultants would render "consulting and advisory services, as requested" by KAI; no further information was provided regarding the nature of the consulting and advisory services to be provided. 'fhe 14 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 16 of 42 document also indicated that KAI would pay Essential Consultants "a consulting fee of One Million Two Hundred Thousand ($1,200,000.00) US Dollars," disbursed through eight $150,000 installments between May 2017 and Decernber 201 7. 40. According to publicly available rnatcrials and press accounts, as well as the company's financial disclosures. the Republic of Korea (South Korea) government has significant ties to KAI. KA¡ itself was formed in 1999 as part of a governrnent-led effort to consolidate South Korea's aerospace industry manufacturers into a new single entity. KAI holds the exclusive rights for all of the government's military logistics and aerospace projects.ll The South government, through the Korea Development Bank, is the largest shareholder largest debt holder.l2 According to information provided by Bank l, Korean in KAI and its messages related to the transfer of funds from KAI indicated that the purpose of these payments was "consulting services." ii. 41. Wire Transfers from a Kazakhstani Bank On or about May 10, 2017, COI{EN, using his Grnailaccount, sent an emailto an unknown individual containing an attachment with the filename .'BTA-1." The attachment contained apurported invoice for $150,000 from Essential Consultants LLC to BTA Bank in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The invoice, identihed by invoice BTA-l0l referred to a "monthly consulting fee" pursuant to a 'oServices Agreement entered into on the 8th of May, 2017." The invoice was directed to the attention of Kenges Rakishev. Open-source records identify Rakishev as the majority shareholder of Kazkommertsbank, another Kazakhstani bank that controls BTA bank. Rakishev is also the son-in-law of Kazakhstan's ambassador to Russia. tt See, e.g., Andrew Tylecote & Francesca Visintin, Corporate Governance, Finance and the Technological Advantage of Nations (2008), at 165-66; International Business Publications, Korea Sauth: A "Spy" Guide (2016), at229-31. r2 KAI, Annual Report 2014, available at https://www.koreaaero.com/upload_images/new3df/ annuallPDF/Annual _report_eng_20 I 4.pdf. t5 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 17 of 42 42. According to llank account at Bank l, orr or about May 22,2017, the Esse¡rtial Consultants bank I received a $150,000 deposit from an account at Kazko¡nmertsbank. According to Elank l, the listed account holder at Kazkommertsbank was a second Kazakhstani bank natned ll'l'A llank, AO. Bank I reported that a message accompanying the wire paymcnt indicated that the agreement was a "monthly consulting fee as per Inv BTA-l0l DD lt4ay 10,2017 consulting agreemenr vy/Nl DD 08 05 2017 CNTR Wn\¡DD 08105/2017."t3 iii. 43. Bank I Wire Transfers from Novartis Investments. SARL also reported that on or about April 15, 2017 and May 15,2017, the EssentialConsultants account at Bank I received two deposits in the amount of $99,800 (totaling $199,600) from a Swiss bank account held in the name of Novartis Investments, SARL. Novartis Investments, SARL is the in-house financial subsidiary of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AC. G. Bo and Abe Realty, LLC ¡3 According to press reports, BTA Bank has been mired in a multi-billion dollar fraud that implicates its former top executives. Accordin gto a Forbes article published in or around February 2017, for example, BTA Bank's auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers previously identified a $10 billion discrepancy on the bank's balance sheets. Subsequent investigation by forensic accountants revealed that a unit of BTA had been used to issue billions of dollars' worth of credit for property development and other deals in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The investigation also indicated that funds illicitly had been removed from the bank through shell companies set up in the na¡nes of executives' farnily members. ,See "How To Get Back A Lost $l0B: One Bank's Tale in Europe's Biggest Alleged Fraud," Forbes, Feb. 6,2017 l6 . Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 18 of 42 . Records show that the ultinTate source of funds used to repay the IJELOC funds came from a dil'ferent cort'tpany associated rvith COHEN, operating under the name Bo and Abe Realty, LLC ("Bo and Abe Realty"), 46. State, Division According to records of incorporation obtained from the New York Deparlment of of Corporations, Bo and Abe Realty LLC was incorporated on or about luly 29, 2013. Documents show that the organizer was Michael Cohen and the associated business address New York, NY 10022. No other was COHEN's residential address at 502 Park Avenue, agents or addresses wete listed on the incorporating paperwork. 47. Bank I records show that on or about July 31,2013, COI{EN signed account opening documentation in order to open a bank account in the name of Bo and Abe Realty. In the documentation, COHEN identified hi¡nself as the President of Bo and Abe Realty; the opening documentation described the purpose of the business as the "purohase of real estate." The account opening documentation also listed two other signatories on the account: COIIEN's brother ("Person 4"), and Person 4's mother-in-law ("Person 5"). Both Person 4 and Person 5 were identified as ls "members" of the company. 15 A sizeable portion of the firnds deposited into the Bo and Abe Realty account came from an account in Person 5's narne. A review of documents provided by Bank I as wellas infonnation provided by other tìnancial institutions indicate that both Person 4 and Person 5 are involved in and receive significant funds through a different entity operating under the name Ukrethanol, LLC ("Ukrethanol"). Ukrethanol has been involved in a series of suspicious transactions and has been suspected of possible money laundering or structuring. For example, in or around June 2013, Bank t7 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 19 of 42 USE AND LOCATION OF THB TARGBT ACCOUNT 48. Records obtained irr the investigation show that COHEN used both the Target Account and the Cmail Account during the course of his interactions with Bank I described above. 49. Bank For example, on or about Decernber 4, 2015, COHEN subrritted an application to I for a HELOC in the amount of $500,000. COt'lEN provided the Target Account as his email address, as well as the contact email aclclress for his wife. 50. In addition, as described above, on or about October 26,2016, COHEN completed paperwork to open an account at Ba¡rk I in the name of Essential Consultants. As part of the account opening processes, COHEN prcrvided Bank I with a signed Addendum to Business Master Signature Card Resolution and Agreement to Open Accounts and Services pertaining to Esse¡rtial Consultants. On the addenclum, COHEN provided a copy of his signature to Bank 1, u, contact information for Bank l. *.ll u, On the addendum, COHEN listed the Target Account as his e- mail address for contact purposes. 51. On or about December I 3,2016, COHEN sent an e-mail from the Target Account to an employee at Bank l, requesting assistance in completing wiring instructions for the Essential Consultants account. 52. On or about March 21, 2017, COI-IEN used the Gmail Account to respond to an email from an employee at Bank I with updated contact information. In his response, COHEN copied the Target Account. On or about March23,20l7, COHEN submitted paperwork to Bank I for the purpose of opening a new account; in the section for customers to provide contact 3 closed a business account held in the name of Ukrethanol and exited its relationship with the company as a result of suspicious activity in the business account. The government continues to investigate the source of the Ukrethariol funds and the ultimate disposition of these monies. l8 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 20 of 42 infonnation, COFIEN, by hand, struck out the Target Account address and in its place wrote the Gnrail Account as his then-current e-mail address. 53. In addition, based on a preliminary review of emaíls obtained pursuant to the search warrant For the Gmail Account, evidence strongly suggests that COHEN uscd at least one other mealls of electronic communication besides the Gmail Account in the course of thc activity described above. For example, while COI{EN and the CEO of Columbus Nova began communicating by telephone and text on or about November 8, 2016, the first e¡nail between a Columbus Nova employee and COHEN via Gmail does not appear to have occurred until February 2017, after the first payment of $83,333 was deposited into the account of Essential Consultants LLC. 54. pursuant On or about July 14,2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation sent a request, to l8 U.S.C. all email $ 2703(f), accounts associated to Mícrosoft, requesting that Microsoft preserve all content for with the domain "trumporg.com," which included the Target Account. 55. grand jury On or about July 20,2017 and again on or about July 25,2017,in response to subpoena, Microsoft confirmed that the a Target Account was an active account associated with the domain trumporg.com. Microsoft also provided records indicating that email accounts associated with the domain "trumporg.com" are being operated on a Microsoft Exchange server. According to publicly available inforrnation on Microsoft's website, Microsoft hosts emails for clients on Microsoft Exchange servers, while allowing customers to use their own domain (as opposed to the publicly available email domains supplied by Miuosoft, such as hotmail.com). According to inforrnation supplied by Microsoft, the domain trumporg.com t9 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 21 of 42 continues to opcrate approximately 150 active enrail accourrts through Microsoft lìxchange, meaning that data associatcd rvith trumporg.com still exists on Microsoft's servers, BACKGROUND CONCBRNING MICROSOFT-SUPPORTED BMAIL 56. In nry training and experierrce, I have lealned that Microsoft provides a variety of on-line services, including electronic mai! ("email") access. Subscribers obtain an accouut registering a specific email address that ser\¡es as their unique account b1, identifier. During the registration process, Microsoft asks for basic personal inl'ormation, such as a name that should be associated with the account. Thcrefore, the computers of Microsoft are likely to contain stored electronic communications, including retrieved and unretrieved emailand information concerning subscribers and their use of serices, such as account access information, email transactio¡l information, and account application information. In rny training and experience, such information may constitute evidence of the crimes under investigation because the information can be used to identify the account's user or users. 57. In my training and experience, email providers generally ask their subscribers to provide certain personal identifying information when registering for an email account. Such information can include the subscriber's full name, physical address, telephone numbers and other identifiers, alternative ernail addresses, and, for paying subscribers, rneans and source of payrnent (including any credit or bank account number). In my training and experience, suclt irrformation may constitute evidence of the crimes under investigation because the information can be used to identify the account's user or users. Based on my training and my experience, I know that, even if subscribers insert false information to conceal their identity, this information often provides clues to their identity, location, or illicit activities. 20 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 22 of 42 58. In rny training and expericnce, email providers typically retain ceftain transactional information about the creation and use of each account on their systems. This information can include the date on which the account was created, the length of scrvice, rccords session) times and durations, the types of log-in (i.e., of service utilized, the status of the account (including whether the account is inactive or closed), thc rnethocls used to connect to the account (such as logging into the account via the provider's r.vebsite), and other log fìles that reflect usage of the account. In addition, email providers often have records of the Internet Protocol address ("lP address") used to register the account and the IP addresses associated with particular logins to the account. Because every device that connects to the Internet must use an IP address, IP address information can help to identify which computers or other clevices were used to access the email account. 59. In my training and experience, in some cases, email account users will communicate directly with an email service provider about issues relating to the account, such as technical problems, billing inquiries, or conrplaints from other users. Email providers typically retain records about such communications, including records of contacts between the user and the provider's support services, as well as records of any actions taken by the provider or user as a result of the communications. In my training and experience, such information may constitute evidence of the.crimes under investigation because the infor¡nation can be used to identify the accouttt's user or users. 60. This application seeks a warrant to search all responsive records and information under the control of Microsoft, a provider subject to the jurisdiction of this court, regardless of where Microsoft has chosen to store such inforrnation. The government intends to require the disclosure pursuant to the requested warrant of the contents of wire or electronic communications 2t Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 23 of 42 and any records or other infbrmation pertaining to the customcrs or subscribers if' such comrnunication, record, or other information is withirr Microsoft's posscssion, custody, or control, regardless of whether suclr communication, record, or other inl'ormalion is stored, held, or maintained outside the tinited States. 61. ró As explained herein, information stored in connection with an email account may provide crucial evidence of the "who, what, why, when, where, ancl how" of thc criminal conduct under investigation, thus enabling the United States to establish and prove each element or alternatively, to exclude the innocent from further suspicion. In my trairring and experiencc, the information stored in connection with an email account can indicate who has used or controlled the account. This "user attribution" evidence is analogous to the search for "indicia of occupancy" while executing a search warrant at a residence. For exarnple, email communications, contacts lists, and images sent (and the data associated with the foregoing, such as date and time) may indicate who used or controlled the account at a relevant tirne. Further, inlonnation maintained by the email provider can show how and when the account was accessed or used. For example, as described below, email providers typically log the Intemet Protocol (ll'j) addresses from which users access the email account, along with the time and date of that access. By determining the physical location associated with the logged IP addresses, investigators can understa¡rd the chronological and geographic context of the email account access and use relating to the crime l6 lt is possible that Microsoft stores some portion of the information sought outside of the Urrited States. In Miuosoft Corp. v. United States, 2016 WL 3770056 (2nd Cir. 2016), the Second Circuit held that the government cannot enforce a warrant under the Stored Communications Act to require a provider to disclose records in its custody and control that are stored outside the United States. As the Second Circuit decision is not binding on this court, I respectfully request that this warrant apply to all responsive information-including data stored outside the United Statespertaining to the identified account that is in the possession, custody, or control of Microsoft. The government also seeks the disclosure of the physical location or locations where the information is stored. 22 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 24 of 42 under investigation. This geographic and timeline information may tend to either inculpate or exculpate the account owner. Additionally, infonnation stored at the user's account may further indicate the geographic location of the account user at a paúicular time (e.g.,location information integrated into an image or video sent via email). Last, storecl electronic data may provide relevant insight into the email account olner's state of mind as it relates to the offense under investigation. For example, information in the email account may indicate the owner's motive and intent to commit a crime (e.g., communications relating to the crime), or consciousness of guilt (e.g., deleting communications in an effort to conceal them from law enforcement). PRESERVATION OF THE TARGET ACCCIUNT 62. pursuant On or about June 21, 7017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation sent a request, to 18 U.S.C. $ 2703(Ð, to Microsoft, requesting that Microsoft preserve all content associated with the Target Account. FILTER REVTEW PRqCEDURES 63. Review of the items described in Attachment A aird Attachment B will be conducted pursuant to established procedures designed to collect evidence in a manner consistent with professional responsibility requirements conceming the maintenance of attorney-client and other operative privileges. The procedures include use of a designated "filter team," separate and apart from the investigative team, in order to address potential privileges. CONCLUSION 64. Based on the forgoing, I request that the Court issue the proposed search warant. 23 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 25 of 42 REOUEST FOR SEALING 65. I further request that the Court order that all papers in support of this application, including the application, affTdavit and search warrant, be sealed until further order of the Court. These documents discuss an ongoing briminal investigation that is neither public nor known to allof the targets of the investigation. Accordingly, there is good cause to seal these documents because their premature disclosure may give targets an opportunity to flee/continue flight from prosecution, destroy or tarnper with evidence, change patterns of behavior, notify confederates, or otherwise seriously jeopardize the investigation. Respectful ly submitted, Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation Subscribed and swom to before me on rb ttris;?day of Augusf 2017. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell Chief United States District Judge 24 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 26 of 42 ATTACHMENT A This warrant applies to infonnation associated with the email account mcohen@trumporg.com that is stored at premises owned, maintained, controlled, or operated by Microsoft Corporation, an email provider headquartered at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. 25 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 27 of 42 ATTACHMBNT B I. Information to be clisclosed by Microsoft Corporation To the extent that the information described in Attachment A is within the possession, custody, or co¡rtrol of Microsolt Corporation (hereinafter "the Provider"), regardless of whether such information is stored, held or maintained inside or outside of the United States, and including any emails, records, files, logs, or infonnation that have been deleted but are still available to the Provider, the Provider is required to disclosc the fbllowing information to the government for each account or identifier listed in Attachment A: a. The contelrts of all emails associated with the account, including stored or preserved copies of emails sent to and from the account, draft emails, the source and destination addresses associated with each email, the date and time at which each emailwas sent, and the size and length of each email; b. All records or other information regarding the identifìcation of the account, to include full name, physical address, telephone numbers and other identifiers, records of session times and durations, the date on which the account was created, the length ofservice, the IP address used to registerthe account, log-in IP addresses associated with session times and dates, account status, alternative email addresses provided during registration, methods of connecting, log files, and means and source of payment (including any credit or bank account number); c. d. The types of service utilized; All records or other informatio¡r stored at any time by an individual using the account, including address books, contact and buddy lists, calendar data, pictures, and files; e. All records pertaining to communications between the Provider and any person regarding the account, including contacts with support services and records of actions taken; and other identifiers, records of session times and durations, the date on which the account was created, the length of service, the types of service utilized, the IP address used to register the account, log-in IP addresses associated with session times and dates, account status, alternative e-mail addresses provided 26 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 28 of 42 duriug registration, all other user names associated with the account, all account names associated with the subscriber, methocls olconnecting; f. g. h. All search history or web history: All records indicating All the services available to subscrit'rers of the accourlts; usernames associatcd with or sharing a login lP address or browser cookie rvith the accounts; i. j. All cookies, irrcluding third-party cookies, All associated with the user; records that are associated with the machinc cookies associated with the user; and k. All telephone or instrument numbers associated with thc Account (including MAC addresses, Electronic Serial Numbers ("ESN"), Mobile Electronic ldentity Numbers ("MEIN"), Mobile Equipment Identilier ("MEID"), Mobile ldentification Numbers ("MIN"), Subscriber ldentity Modules ("SlM"), Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number ("MSISDN"), International Mobile Subscriber ldentifiers ("IMSI"), or International Mobile Equipment lde¡rtities ("lME["). II. Information to be Seized by the Government All information described above in Section I that constitutes evidence, contraband, fruits, and/or instrumentalities of violations of 18 U.S.C. $ l0l4 (false statements to a financial institution), l8U.S.C.$ 1344(bankfraud), l8U.S.C.$ 1956(moneylaundering), 18U.S.C.$951 (acting as an unregistered foreign agent), and22 U.S.C. $ 6t I el scq. (Foreign Agents Registration Act), involving Michael Dean Cohen and occurring on or after January 1,201'6, including, for each account or identifier listed on Attachment A, information pertaining to the following matters: a, Communications, records, documents, and other files involving Essential Consultants,LLC; b. Communications, records, docurnents, and other files involving Bo and Abe Realty, LLC; c. Communications, records, documents, and other files that false representations to a financial institution with relation to intended the purpose of an account or loan at that financial institution; the nature of any business or entity associated with an 27 Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 29 of 42 account a fìnancial institution; the source of funds flowing into an account; or the purpose or nature of any financial transactions involving that financial institution; d. Records of any funds or benefits received by or offered to Michael Dean Cohen by, or on behalf oÇ any foreign goven:ìment, foreign officials, foreign entities, foreign persons, or foreign principals; e. Communications, records, documents, and other files that reveal efforts by Michael Dean Cohen to conduct activities on behalf ofl, for the benefit of, or at the direction of any foreign government, foreign officials, foreign entities, foreign persons, or foreign principals; f. Evidence indicating how and when the account was accessed or used, to determine the geographic and chronological context ofaccount access, use, and events relating to the crimes under investigation and to the account owner; g. Evidence indicating the account owner's state of mind as it relates to the crimes under investigation; h. The identity of the person(s) who created or used the account, including records that help reveal the whereabouts of such person(s); and l. The identity of any person(s)-including records that help reveal the whereabouts of the person(sþ-who communicated with the account about any matters relating to activities conducted by Michael Dean Cohen on behalf of, for the benefit of, or at the direction of any foreign government, foreign officials, foreign foreign persons, or foreign principals. 28 entities, Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 30 of 42 ÀO 93 (Rev. I l/13) Search and Seizure Warant UNrrnn Srerns Drsrzucr CoURT for the District of Columbia In the Matter of the Search of ) (BrieJly describe the property to be searched or identiþ lhe person by nane and address) INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WTH THE EMAIL ACCOUNT MCOHEN@TRUMPORG.COM ) ) ) ) ) Case. 1 :17-mj-00548 Assigned To : Howell, BerYlA' Assign. Date : 81112017 oátãtiption: Search and Seizure Warrant SEARCII AND SEIZURE WARRANT Any authorized law enf'orcement officer To: An application by a federal law enforcement officer or an attorney for the government requests the search Western Washington of the following person or property located in the District of (identdy the person or describe the property to be searched and give its location)i See Attachment A. I find that the affidavit(s), or any recorded testimony, establish probable cause to search and seize the person or property described above, and that such search will reveal (denrify the person or describe the property to be seized): See Attachment B. d Ausust 15,2017 YOU ARE COMMANDED to execute this warrant on or before (not to exceed I 4 days) in the daytime 6:00 a.m. to l0:00 p.m. û at any time in the day or night because good cause has been established Unless delayed notice is authorized below, you must give a copy of the warrant and a receipt for the property taken to the person from whom, or from whose premises, the property was taken, or leave the copy and receipt at the place where the property was taken. The officer executing this warrant, or an officer present during the execution of the warrant, must prepare an inventory Hon. BervlA. Howell as required by law and promptly retum this warrant and inventory to (United States Magistrale Judge) lJ Pursuantto l8 U.S.C. $ 3103a(b),I find that immediate notification may have an adverse result listed in l8 U.S.C. (except for delay of trial), and authorize the officer executing this warrant to delay notice to the person who, or whose 2705 $ property, will be searched or seized @heck the appropriate box) fJ for days (nor to exceed 30) until, the facts justiSing, the later specific date of t _ ¿ Date and time issued: z' So //h Judge's signalure City and state: Washington, DC Hon, BerylA. Howell, Chief U.S, District Judge Printed name and title Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 31 of 42 AO 93 (Rev. I l/13) Scarch and Scizure Warrant (Pagc 2) Return Case No.: Date and time warrant executed; Inventory made in the presence of Copy of warrant and inventory left with: : Inventory ofthe property taken and name ofany person(s) seized Certiflc¡tion I declare under penalty of perjury that this inventory is correct and was retumed along with the original warrant to the designated judge. Date: Exe cut ing ofr ce r's s lgßture Prlnted name and liile Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 32 of 42 ATTACHMENT A This warrant applies to information associated with the email account mcohen@trumporg.com that is stored at premises owned, maintained, controlled, or operated by Microsoft Corporation, an email provider headquartered at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 33 of 42 ATTAC.HMENT B I. Information to be disclosed by Microsoft Corporation To the extent that the information described in Attachment A is within the possession, custody, or control of Microsoft Corporation (hereinafter "the Provider"), regardless of whether such information is stored, held or maintained inside or outside of the United States, and including any emails, records, files, logs, or information that have been deleted but are still available to the Provider, the Provider is required to disclose the following information to the government for each account or identifier listed in Attachment A: a. The contents of all emails associated with the account, including stored or preserved copies of emails sent to and from the account, draft emails, the source and destination addresses associated with each email, the date and time at which each emailwas sent, and the size and length of each email; b. All records or other information regarding the identifìcation of the account, to include full name, physical address, telephone numbers and other identifiers, records of session times and durations, the date on which the account was created, the length ofservice, the IP address used to register the account, log-in IP addresses associated with session times and dates, account status, alternative email addresses provided during registration, methods of connecting, log files, and means and source of payment (including any credit or bank account number); c. d. The types of service utilized; All records or other information stored at any time by an individual using the account, including address books, contact and buddy lists, calendar data, pictures, and fìles; e. All records pertaining to communications between the Provider and any person regarding the account, including contacts with support services and records of actions taken; and other identifiers, records of session times and durations, the date on which the account was created, the length of service, the types of service utilized, the lP address used to register the account, log-in IP addresses associated with session times and dates, account status, alternative e-mail addresses provided Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 34 of 42 during registration, all other user names associated with the account, all account names associated with the subscriber, methods of connecting; f. g. h. All search history or web history; Allrecords indicating the services available to subscribers of the accounts; All usernames associated with or sharing a login IP address or browser cookie with the accounts; i. j. All cookies, including third-party cookies, associated with All the user; records that are associated with the machine cookies associated with the user; and k. All telephone or instrument numbers associated with the Account (including MAC addresses, Electronic Serial Numbers Numbers ("ESN"), Mobile Electronic Identity ("MElN"), Mobile Equipment ldentifier ("MElD"), Mobile Identification Numbers ("MIN"), Subscriber ldentity Modules ("SIM"), Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number ("MSISDN"), International Mobile Subscriber ldentifiers ("IMSI"), or International Mobile Equipment ldentities ("lMEI"). IL Information to be Seized by the Government All information described above in Section I that constitutes evidence, contraband, fruits, and/or instrumentalities of violations of 18 U.S.C. $ l0l4 (false statements to a fìnancial institution), l8 U.S.C. $ 1344 (bank fraud), l8 U.S.C. $ 1956 (money laundering), l8 U.S.C. $ 951 (acting as an unregistered foreign agent), and 22 U.S.C. $ 6l I el seq. (Foreign Agents Registration Act), involving Michael Dean Cohen and occurring on or after January 1,2016, including, for each account or identifier listed on Attaclrment A, information pertaining to the following matters: a. Communications, records, documents, and other files involving Essential Consultants,LLC; b. Communications, records, documents, and other files involving Bo and Abe Realty, LLC; c. Communications, records, documents, and other files that false representations to a frnancial institution with relation to intended the purpose of an account or loan at that fìnancial institution; the nature of any business or entity associated with an Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 35 of 42 account a financial institution; the source of funds flowing into an account; or the purpose or nature of any financial transactions involving that fìnancial institution; d Records of any funds or benefìts received by or offered to Michael Dean Cohen by, or on behalf of, any foreign government, foreign officials, foreign entities, foreign persons, or foreign principals; e. Communications, records, documents, and other files that reveal efforts by Michael Dean Cohen to conduct activities on behalf of, for the benefit of, or at the direction of any foreign government, foreign officials, foreign entities, foreign persons, or foreign principals; f. Evidence indicating how and when the account was accessed or used, to determine the geographic and chronological context ofaccount access, use, and events relating to the crimes under investigation and to the account owner; g. Evidence indicating the account owner's state of mind as it relates to the crimes under investigation; h. The identity of the person(s) who created or used the account, including records that help reveal the whereabouts ofsuch person(s); and t. The identity of any person(s)-including records that help reveal the whereabouts of the person(s)-who communicated with the account about any matters relating to activities conducted by Michael Dean Cohen on behalf of, for the benefit of, or at the direction of any foreign government, foreign officials, foreign foreign persons, or foreign principals. entities, Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 36 of 42 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN THE MATTER OF THE SEARCH OF INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMAIL ACCOUNT MCOHEN@TRUMPORG.COM Case. 1 :17-mj*00548 Assigned To : Howell, BerYlA' Assign. Date: 81112017 nálãript¡on: Search and Seizure Warrant MOTTON TO SEAL WARRANT AND RELATÞD DOCUMENTS AND TO REOUTRE NON-DTSCLOSURE rrNpER 18 U.S.C. I ?705(b) The United States of America, moving by and through its undersigned counsel, respectfully moves the Court for an Order placing the above-captioned warrant and the application and affrdavit in support thereof (collectively herein the "Warrant") under seal, and precluding the provider from notifying any person of the Warrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. $ 2705(b). In regard to the non- disclosure, the proposed Order would direct Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft"), an electronic communication and/or remote computing services provider headquartered at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, V/A 98052, not to notiS any other person (except attorneys for Microsoft for the purpose of receiving legal advice) of the existence or content of the Warrant for a period of one year or until further order of the Court. JURISDIC.TION AND LEGAL BACKGROLIND l. The Court has the inherent power to seal court filings when appropriate, including the Wamant. United States v. Hubbard,650 F.2d 293,315-16 (D.C. Cir. 1980) (citing Nixon v. Warner Communications, 1nc.,435 U.S. 589, 598 (197S). The Court may also seal the Warrant to prevent serious jeopardy to an ongoing criminal investigation when, as in the present case, such jeopardy creates a compelling governmental interest in preserving the confïdentiality the Wanant. See WashingtanPostv. Robinson,g3sF.2d282,287-89 (D.C. Cir. 1991). of Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 37 of 42 2. In addition, this Court has jurisdiction to issue the requested order because it is "a court of competent jurisdiction" as deftned by 18 U.S.C. ç 2711. Specifically, the Court is a "district couft of the United States . . . that 18 U.S.C. $ 2711(3XAXi). As discussed - has jurisdiction over the offense being investigated." fully below, acts or omissions in furtherance of the offense under investigation occürred within Washington, D.C. 3. .See 18 U.S.C. ç 3237. Further, the Court has authority to require non-disclosure of the Warant under 18 U.S.C. $ 2705(b). Microsoft provides an ooelectronic communications service," as defined in l8 U.S.C. $ 2510(15), and/or'oremote computing service," as defined in l8 U.S,C. g 27ll(2). The Stored Communications Act ("SCA"), 18 U.S.C. çç 2701-2712, governs how Microsoft may be compelled to supply communications and other records using a subpoena, court order, or search warrant. Specifically, Section 2703(c)(2) authorizes the Government to obtain certain basic "subscriber information" using a subpoena, Section 27}3(d)allows the Government to obtain othor "non-content" information using a court order, and Section 2703(a)-(bX1XA) allows the Government to obtain contents of communications using a search warrant. 4. ,See 18 U.S.C. ç 2703, The SCA does not set forth any obligation for providers to notify subscribers about subpoenas, court orders, or search warrants under Section 2703. However, many have voluntarily adopted policies of notifying subscribers about such legal requests. Accordingly, when necessary, Section 2705(b) of the SCA enables the Government to obtain a court order to preclude such notification. In relevantpart, Section 2705(b) provides as follows:l * A governmental entity acting under section 2703 .. . may apply to a court for an order commanding a provider of olectronic communications service or remote computing service to whom a warrant, subpoena, or court order is directed, for such period as the court (b) Preclusion of notice to subject of governmental access. I Section 2705(b) contains additional requirements for legal process obtained pursuant to l8 U.S.C. $ 2703(bxl)(B), but the Government does not seek to use the proposed Order for any legal process under that provision. ) Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 38 of 42 deems appropriate, not to notify any other person of the existence of the warrant, subpoena, or court order. The court shall enter such an order if it determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the warrant, subpoena, in- or court order wi[[ result (1) endangering the life or physical safety of an individual; (2) flight from prosecution; (3) destruction of or tampering with evidence; (4) intimidation of potential witnesses; or (5) otherwise seriously jeopardizing an investigation or unduly delaying a trial. 18 U.S.C. $ 2705(b). The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has made clear tlrat a nondisclosure order under Section 2705(b) must be issued once the Government makes the requisite showing about potential consequences of notification: The explicit terms of section 2705(b) make clear that if a courts [sic] finds that there is reason to believe that notifying the customer or subscriber of the court order or subpoena may lead to one of the deleterious outcomes listed under $ 2705(b), the court must enter an order commanding a service provider to delay notice to a customer for a period of time that the court determines is appropriate. Once the government makes the required showing under $ 2705(b), the court is required to issue the non-disclosure order. In re Applicationfor Order of Nondisclosure Pursuant to l8 U.S.C, S 2705(b) þr Qrand Jury Subpoena #GJ2014031422765,4i F. Supp. 3d 1, 5 (D.D.C. 2014). 5. Accordingly, this motion to seal sets forth facts showing reasonable grounds to command Microsoft not to notify any other person (except attorneys for Microsoft for the pu{pose of receiving legal advice) of the existence of the Subpoena for a period of one year or until further order of the Court. FACTS SUPPORTING SEALING AND NON-DISCLQSURE 6. At the present time, law enforcement officers of the FBI are conducting investigation into violations related to 18 U.S.C. $ 1014 (false statements to 18 U.S.C. $ 1344 (bank fraud), a financiål institution), l8 U.S.C. $ 1956 (money laundering), 18 U.S.C. an unregistered foreign agent), and 22 U.S.C. $ 6l 3 an $ 951 (acting as I er seg. (Foreign Agents Registration Act) Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 39 of 42 arising out of thç conduct of Michael D. Cohen. It does not appear that Cohen is currently aware of the nature and scope of the ongoing FBI investigation into him. &EO-UEST FOR SEALTNG 7 . ANp NON-pTSCLOSURE In this matter, the government requests that the Warrant be sealed until further order of the Court and that Microsoft and its employees be directed not to notify any other person of the existence or content of the Warrant (except attorneys for Microsoft for the purpose legal advice) for a period of receiving of one year or until further order of the Court. Such an order appropriate because the Wa¡rant relates to an ongoing criminal investigation, the full scope is of which is neither public nor known to the targets of the investigation, and its disclosure may alert these targets to the ongoing investigation and its scope. Once alerted to this investigation, potential targets would be immediately prompted to destroy operational tactics to avoid future or conceal incriminating evidence, alter their detection, and otherwise take steps to undermine the investigation and avoid future prosecution. In particular, given that they are known to use electronic communication and remote computing services, the potential target could quickly and easily destroy or encrypt digital evidence relating to their criminal 8. activþ. Given the complex and sensitive nature of the criminal activity under investigation, and also given that the criminal scheme may be ongoing, the Government anticipates that this confidential investigation will continue for the next year or longer. However, should circumstances change such that court-ordered nondisclosure under Section 2705(b) becomes no longer needed, the Govemment 9. willnotify the Court There is, therefore, reason and seek appropriate relief. to believe that notification of the existence of the Warrant will seriously jeopardize the investigation, including by giving the targets an opportunity to flee from prosecution, destroy or tamper with evidence, and intimidate witnesses. ^!ee 4 l8 U.S.C. Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 40 of 42 $ 2705(bX2)-(5). Because of such potential jeopardy to the investigation, there also exists a compelling governmental interest in confidentiality to justify the government's sealing request. See Robinson,935 F.2d at287-89. 10. Based on prior dealings with Microsoft the United States is aware that, absent a court order under Section 2705(b) commanding Microsoft not to notify anyone about a legal request, it is Microsoft's policy and practice, upon receipt of a warrant seeking the contents of electronically stored wire or electronic communications for a certain account, to notify the subscriber or customer of the existence of the warrant prior to producing the material sought. WHEREFOR-E, for all the foregoing reasons, the government respectfully requests that the above-captioned warrant, the application and affrdavit in support thereof, and all attachments thereto and other related materials be placed under seal, and furthermore, that the Court command Microsoft not to notify any other person of the existence or contents of the above-captiqned warrant (except attorneys for Microsoft for the purpose of receiving legal advice) for a period one year or until further order ofthe Court. Respectfully submitted, ROBERT S. MUELLER,III Special Counsel Dated: (ftfr,o,z tt 5 of Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 41 of 42 Fln_ffiff IN THE UNITED S]'A'TES DISTRICT COURT' FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AUt - I zut¡, U.S. District & tJankrrrptcy ,tl-erx. u0urts for i,ta lli;tri;t oi Ço¡u,,bi* Case: '1 :17-mj-00548 Assigned To : Howell, BerylA. Assrgn. Date . 81112017 Description. Search and Seizure Warrant IN THE MATTER OF THE SEARCH OF INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH'fI-IE EMAIL ACCOUNT MCOHEN@TRUMPORG.COM ORDEIì. The United States has filed a motion to seal the above-captioned warrant and related documents, including the application and affidavit in support thereof (collectively the "Warrant"), and to require Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft"), an electronic communication and/or remote computing services headquartered at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 not to disclose the existence or contents of the Warrant pursuant to l8 U.S.C. $ 2705(b). The Court finds that the United States has established that a cornpelling govemmental interest exists to justify the requested sealing, and that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the Vy'arrant will seriously jeopardize the investigation, including by giving the targets an opportunity to flee from prosecution, destroy or tamper with evidence, and intimidate witnesses. ^lee l8 U.S.C. $ 2705(bX2)'(5). IT IS THER-EFORE ORDERED that the motion is hereby GRANTED, and that the warrant, the application and affidavit in support thereof, all attachments thereto and other related materials, the inst¿nt motion to seal, and this Order be SEALED until further order of the Court; and Case 1:19-mc-00044-BAH Document 13 Filed 05/22/19 Page 42 of 42 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to l8 U,S.C. $ 2705(b), Microsoft and its employees shall not disclose the existence or content of the Warrant to any other person (except attorneys for Microsofr for the purpose of receiving legal advice) for a period of one year or until further order of the Court. éz'/ ø".ú4 THE HONORABLE BERYL A. HOWELL CHIEF TINITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE â¿¿l¿"i( h tT Date 2