HighlightWorld News

Former U.S national security advisor Michael Flynn pleads guilty to lying to FBI

126

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, and he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors delving into the actions of President Donald

Trump’s inner circle before he took office.

 The dramatic turn of events also raised new questions about whether Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had a role in those Russia contacts.

Flynn was the first member of Trump’s administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller’s wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. election and potential collusion by Trump aides.

Under a plea bargain deal, Flynn admitted in a Washington court that he lied when asked by FBI investigators about his conversations last December with Russia’s then-ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, just weeks before Trump took office.

Prosecutors said the two men discussed US sanctions against Russia and that Flynn also asked Kislyak to help delay a UN vote seen as damaging to Israel.

On both occasions, he appeared to be undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama.

They also said a “very senior member” of Trump’s transition team had told Flynn to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the UN vote.

Sources told Reuters that the “very senior” official was Kushner, a key member of Trump’s transition team and now the president’s senior adviser.

Kushner’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. He has previously said Kushner has voluntarily cooperated with all relevant inquiries and would continue to do so.

Flynn’s decision to cooperate with Mueller’s team marked a major escalation in a probe that has dogged the president since he took office in January.

There was nothing in the court hearing that pointed to any evidence against Trump, and the White House said Flynn’s guilty plea implicated him alone.

“Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr Flynn,” said Ty Cobb, a White House attorney.

Flynn, a retired army lieutenant general, only served as Trump’s national security adviser for 24 days.

He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Kislyak.

But Flynn had been an enthusiastic supporter of Trump’s election campaign and the president continued to praise him even after he left the administration, saying Flynn had been treated “very, very unfairly” by the news media.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at Lagos Airport over discrimination against ex-Gov Daniel’s son

Barely 24 hours after Debola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor...

Atiku’s campaign DG switches loyalty, drums support for Tinubu, Fubara

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, who...

Just in: FCT court discharges, acquits ex-AGF Adoke in OPL 245 fraud charge

The FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday dismissed the charges...

63-year-old woman, teenage girl, two others killed in U.S. stabbing spree

A man armed with a knife went on a stabbing spree in...

FG to collect only nine types of taxes, says FIRS chairman

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says in line with the presidential...

After 14 days in detention, First News editor, Segun Olatunji, breathes air of freedom

The Editor of FirstNews, a digital newspaper, Segun Olatunji, on Thursday regained...

N3trn budget padding: Sen. Ningi threatens legal action if suspension is not lifted in seven days

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central, has given Senate President Godswill...

Eniola Ajao apologizes over “AJAKAJU” movie premiere controversy

Actress Eniola Ajao has issued an apology to the public in the...

Ex-Presidential media aide, Akande criticises LP’s leadership, urges party’s alignment with national interest

Mr. Laolu Akande, a former presidential assistant, has expressed dissatisfaction with the...

Economic hardship: Ogun Govt. begins sale of rice at 50 percent price reduction to workers, public

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration will start selling...

FG committed to steel industry revitalization to drive infrastructural development, says Industry Minister, Dr Uzoka-Anite

The Federal Government is committed to industry rehabilitation, with a focus on...

Easter: FG declares Friday, March 29, Monday, April 1 public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1,...

Fake, unwholesome products: NAFDAC seals 10 bakeries, 8 table water factories in Rivers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC) has shut down...

Climate change, food security: AfDB approves $50 million for Yobe State

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has granted a $50 million loan...

Ex Guinea-Bissau President’s Son Jailed in U.S. for Drug Trafficking

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, the son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau,...

Togo dumps presidential system for parliamentary, adopts new constitution

Togolese lawmakers adopted a new constitution on Monday, moving the West African...

Few weeks to party primary, leading Ondo APC governorship aspirant, Dr. Paul Akintelure, passes away

Dr. Paul Akintelure, a prominent candidate for governorship in Ondo State who...

IPOB, bandits using betting sites, crowdsourcing to finance terrorism – NFIU

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bandits, and other terror organizations are...

EU launches €9m energy projects in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has unveiled two new initiatives worth €9 million...

Don’t sell dollar above N1,269, CBN orders Bureau de Change

As part of measures to strengthen the naira against the dollar, the...