As predicted, Robert Mueller’s investigation was more likely to find process crimes, such as making false statements to federal investigators, or crimes unrelated to alleged Russia collusion, than crimes related to actual collusion.
Mueller just charged Michael Flynn with lying to the FBI during a January 2017 interview (which predated Mueller) about conversations with the Russian ambassador in late December 2016, during the transition. Media reports are blurring this timeline, implying it was during the campaign.
Special counsel Robert Mueller has charged former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn with “willfully and knowingly” making “false, fictitious and fraudulent statements” to the FBI regarding conversations with Russia’s ambassador.He is due to appear in court later Friday morning, a court spokesperson said. The White House declined to immediately comment.Flynn is the first Trump administration official and the fourth connected to the campaign to be charged as part of Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between the Russian government and members of Trump’s team, as well as potential obstruction of justice and financial crimes.Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were indicted last month; they pleaded not guilty. And Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty for making a false statement to the FBI over contacts with officials connected to the Russian government.
Here is the Criminal Information dated November 30, 2017 (pdf).
USA v. Michael Flynn – Criminal Information 11-30-2017 by Legal Insurrection on Scribd
There is widespread speculation is that because the government let him off “easy” with a single count, that he has helped Mueller in moving up the Trump administration food chain.
UPDATES:
Flynn’s statement on his guilty plea:
Here is the statement from the White House lawyer:
ABC’s Brian Ross is reporting Flynn is prepared to testify Trump directed him to make contact with the Russians during the campaign.
UPDATE ON LINK ABOVE — FAKE NEWS FROM ABC
Here’s what’s being reported on what happened during the plea hearing:
ADDED:
Statement of the Offense (pdf.)
USA v. Michael Flynn – Statement of the Offense 11-30-2017 by Legal Insurrection on Scribd
Plea Agreement (pdf.)
USA v. Michael Flynn – Plea Agreement 11-30-2017 by Legal Insurrection on Scribd
[This post updated multiple times.]
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