The embattled Gen. Michael Flynn, who served as the first Secretary of Defense under Donald Trump for just a few weeks before being fired, is now facing a whole new legal battle. The Defense Department’s inspector general has concluded an investigation into Flynn’s dealings with Russia during the transition period of Trump’s presidency and has now sent his finding to the secretary of the army.
BOOM: Mike Flynn's case referred to the Acting Secretary of the Army for years of criminal behavior.
Is a Court Martial next? https://t.co/0as1oZvRy3
— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) March 13, 2021
At issue is Flynn’s acceptance of payments while working as a member of Trump’s transition team from Russia and Turkey, with whom his relationship led to the charge of working as an unregistered foreign agent while also serving as Trump’s secretary of defense.
According to The Washington Post:
‘The investigation focuses on Flynn’s acceptance of money from Russian and Turkish interests before joining the Trump administration, a potential violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause. With few exceptions, U.S. officials, including retired service members like Flynn, are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from foreign governments. Flynn retired from the Army as a three-star general in 2014.’
I’ve only seen one article out there, by Seth Abramson, about this interview the night of Jan 5 in DC by Alex Jones with Michael Flynn. But have not the actual video anywhere before. Watch this short clip where Flynn talks about the next day. pic.twitter.com/v7pIAXMguk
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 11, 2021
While Flynn faces those legal issues, there are also investigations into the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol Building that ended with a police officer and four others dead, a riot with which Flynn has a connection. Flynn formerly pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, working as an unregistered foreign agent, and other charges before trying to take back his guilty plea. He was pardoned by Trump, but his legal battles appear to be far from over.
‘Flynn was fired by the Trump administration for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about the case, pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, later attempted to take back his plea, and ultimately was pardoned in November by Trump.’
Here's the suspicious activity report Bank of America sent FinCEN about payments made to Michael Flynn that originated from a Turkish bank account that is now at issue here. Part of our #FinCENFiles investigationhttps://t.co/duzv36YcO3 https://t.co/4avWUtkWb3 pic.twitter.com/cbnx5NJeOS
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) March 13, 2021
Flynn also spoke at Trump’s rally on January 6 and is suspected of helping to organize the event that turned deadly. He may have believed that Trump’s pardon exempted him from further legal consequences, but it seems he’s not quite done breaking the law yet.
‘After Trump’s pardon, the Justice Department gave approval for the Defense Department inspector general’s office to resume its investigation, said Dwrena K. Allen, a spokeswoman for acting inspector general Sean O’Donnell. The watchdog’s office closed its investigation one week after the Biden administration took office and forwarded its findings to the Army.’
Roger Stone associate Roberto Minuta just arrested in New York. Minuta was with Stone the morning of the insurrection and flanked Michael Flynn at rally weeks earlier. Investigators continue to pursue possible organizers or funders of the insurrection.https://t.co/vemsgXERya
— Robert J. DeNault (@robertjdenault) March 8, 2021
