Cohen Drops Libel Suits Against Buzzfeed, Fusion GPS

Politico reports:

Embattled attorney Michael Cohen has dropped a pair of much-touted libel suits against BuzzFeed and the private investigation firm Fusion GPS over publication of the so-called dossier detailing alleged ties between President Donald Trump and Russia.

Cohen abandoned the suits late Wednesday as he continues to fight to recover documents and electronic files seized from his home, office and hotel room last week by federal authorities as part of what appears to be a broad criminal investigation into his conduct.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Cohen’s home and office have been raided as New York prosecutors seek evidence of a crime. Cohen is looking to limit his exposure and has asserted the documents seized by law enforcement agents violated attorney-client privilege.

He has also raised 5th Amendment rights as a basis to pause the civil lawsuit over a hush agreement with Stormy Daniels. A judge has scheduled a hearing on Friday to consider whether that lawsuit might interfere with Cohen’s right not to incriminate himself. Cohen doesn’t want to be a plaintiff in a case that could invite discovery either.