Judge may appoint neutral party to review Trump fixer's documents

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Adult film star Stormy Daniels went to federal court for a hearing involving President Trump's personal attorney and so-called fixer Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels $130,000 in a hush agreement shortly before the 2016 election. Daniels said she had an affair with Trump in 2006.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is not directly involved in Cohen's case. But documents about her payment may be part of the trove of evidence seized during FBI raids on Cohen's home and office a week ago. 

What happens with that evidence was the subject of the nearly three-hour hearing Monday because of concerns about attorney-client privilege. Cohen's team insisted that they should get to review the documents first. The president's attorney said he should look at the documents because he has a right to protect his attorney-client privilege.

Judge Kimba Wood rejected requests by Cohen's and Trump's teams to block federal prosecutors from reviewing the seized documents—at least for the time being. Instead, she ordered the documents be put in a searchable database and shared so that all parties can weigh in on what should come under review.

Wood also said she would consider appointing a third-party special master to review the documents—something Cohen's lawyers requested.

But perhaps the most stunning admission in the proceedings is that Cohen has done legal work for Fox News host Sean Hannity. On his Monday radio show, Hannity said he never retained Cohen "in the traditional sense" and never paid him legal fees but occasionally spoke to him about legal questions.

Neither Cohen nor his lawyers commented after the hearing.

Outside of the courthouse, Daniels said Cohen has played by a "different set of rules."