Novartis paid Michael Cohen $1.2 million for health policy advice

Pharmaceutical giant Novartis says it paid $1.2 million to Michael Cohen, President Trump’s personal attorney, in exchange for advice about the Trump administration’s health policy agenda. However, executives figured out after just one meeting that Cohen “would be unable to provide the services that Novartis had anticipated,” the company said in a statement.

Why it matters: Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office asked about this arrangement late last year. Novartis says it “considers this matter closed as to itself and is not aware of any outstanding questions regarding the agreement.”