Financial records detailing payments made to former Trump attorney Michael Cohen were leaked to the media in early May. According to The New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow, that leak was intended to flush out several records that appeared to be missing.
The payments revealed the leaks in the media came from “a suspicious-activity report” (SAR) from First Republic Bank, but that report also mentioned that the bank had also compiled two additional SARs that were not included the released files. The apparently missing reports would explain some $3 million in additional payments. (RELATED: Mueller’s Team Questioned Swiss Drug Company Over Payments To Trump Lawyer)
The law enforcement official who leaked the report told The New Yorker that what was truly concerning was the fact that the two additional SARs were simply missing from the database. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) is maintained by the Treasury Department, and records generally don’t just disappear, according to the official.
“That system is a safeguard for the bank. It’s a stockpile of information. When something’s not there that should be, I immediately became concerned. That’s why I came forward.”
Following the leak, however, the Treasury Department began an investigation to find the source — which has the law enforcement official worried about what could happen to him if his identity is revealed. “To say that I am terrified right now would be an understatement.” (RELATED: Treasury Department Opens IG Investigation Into Leak Of Michael Cohen’s Records)