Cohen case highlights Hannity's vast property holdings

Public records show Fox News host Sean Hannity's connections to a group of shell companies that spent $90 million over the past decade to purchase more than 870 properties across the United States, according to a report by The Guardian.

Why it matters: Some of the property purchases were financed utilizing mortgage assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development — and Hannity was a vocal supporter of Ben Carson to head the agency without disclosing that connection. These revelations surrounding Hannity's property holdings highlight the ethical issues between his journalistic work and his personal entanglements with the Trump administration.

Hannity statement:

"The fact is, these are investments that I do not individually select, control, or know the details about; except that obviously I believe in putting my money to work in communities that otherwise struggle to receive such support."

"I have never discussed with anybody at HUD the original loans that were obtained in the Obama years, nor the subsequent refinance of such loans, as they are a private matter. I had no role in, or responsibility for, any HUD involvement in any of these investments. I can say that every rigorous process and strict standard of improvement requirements were followed; all were met, fulfilled and inspected."