Michael Flynn,
the former national security adviser, can no longer discuss the special investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, his lawyer says.
A lawyer for former national security adviser Michael Flynn informed an attorney for President Donald Trump this week that he can no longer discuss the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, a sign that Flynn may be preparing to cooperate in the probe, people familiar with the investigation said.
The call from Flynn lawyer Robert Kelner to Trump attorney John Dowd came Wednesday and is a potentially ominous sign for Trump and other close associates to the president. Before this week, Kelner had been strategizing with lawyers for Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The split suggests that Flynn, who has been a top target of special counsel Robert Mueller and his team, may be looking to share information with the prosecutor and his team.
The development was first reported by The New York Times.
Kelner did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Jay Sekulow, an attorney for Trump, said: “This is not entirely unexpected.”
“No one should draw the conclusion that this means anything about Gen. Flynn cooperating against the president,” he said, adding “It’s important to remember that Gen. Flynn received his security clearance under the previous administration.”
In complex investigations, lawyers for subjects often enter into agreements that allow them to share information without waiving attorney client privilege.
Such agreements generally include provisions that require the lawyers to immediately end the arrangement if their clients begin discussions with prosecutors or if other developments pose a conflict of interest.
Even if Flynn has begun discussions with Mueller’s office, there is no guarantee he will ultimately reach a deal with prosecutors.
Flynn served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under President Barack Obama before he was pushed out in 2014 amid criticism of his management style and clashes with other Obama administration officials.
He then established a private consulting firm and gave paid speeches, work that has drawn intense scrutiny from Mueller.
Flynn served 24 days as national security adviser.
Barry Coburn, an attorney for Flynn, declined to comment.