Russia inquiry sets sights on former Trump adviser with possible plea bargain
MICHAEL FLYNN, Donald Trump’s short-lived national security adviser, has stopped sharing information with the president’s legal team, it has been reported – giving rise to speculation that he could be preparing a plea deal.
Mr Flynn served as national security adviser from Mr Trump’s inauguration until Feb 13, when he was forced to resign and admit lying to Mike Pence, the vice-president, over his meetings with Sergey Kislyak, the then Russian ambassador.
Robert Mueller, special counsel, is investigating Russian interference in the US election, and whether there was any collusion between Mr Trump’s campaign and operatives from Moscow.
George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser; Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman; and Rick Gates, Mr Manafort’s right-hand man and a senior aide to the Trump campaign, have already been charged in connection with Mr Mueller’s investigation. Mr Manafort and Mr Gates were indicted at the end of last month on charges including money laundering and conspiracy against the US, and both pleaded not guilty. Mr Papadopoulous pleaded guilty to misleading the FBI.
And Mr Flynn, who was fired by Barack Obama and who the former president subsequently warned Mr Trump against hiring, was long speculated to be in Mr Mueller’s line of sight.
He only lasted 24 days in the White House, the shortest-lived national security adviser in US history. On Nov 5, NBC News reported that Mr Mueller had enough evidence to charge the 58-year-old retired lieutenant general.
The investigators working for Mr Mueller were said to be speaking to multiple witnesses to gain more information surrounding Mr Flynn’s lobbying work, including whether he laundered money or lied to federal agents about his overseas contacts. On Nov 10, The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Mueller was investigating an alleged plot in which Mr Flynn would mastermind the kidnapping of a Turkish dissident cleric living in the US and fly him to an island prison in Turkey, in return for $15million (£11million).
On Thursday The New York Times said that four separate sources told them Mr Flynn’s lawyers have informed Mr Trump’s team that they can no longer share information.
It is unethical for lawyers to work together when one client is co-operating with prosecutors and another is still under investigation. The move by Mr Flynn’s lawyers is not seen as proof that Mr Flynn is co-operating with Mr Mueller – but Mr Trump’s lawyers are reported to believe that Mr Flynn has, at least, begun discussions with Mr Mueller about co-operating.
Preet Bharara, the former New York prosecutor who was fired by Mr Trump, tweeted: “If you’re dead to rights, flipping on others and co-operating with the prosecution is the only sane and rational move. Also, prosecutors accept co-operation only if you can provide ‘substantial assistance’.”