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A2 UP FRONT
Saturday 2 december 2017

Flynn pleads guilty, is cooperating in Trump-Russia probe

Continued from Front lobbying work on behalf of though he said he had also canceled media access to shocking that he prepared
It also establishes Flynn the Turkish government, the been subjected to false a later meeting between an internal memo about it.
as a key cooperator and fact that he pleaded guilty accusations. He said, “My the two. He did appear A former Defense
likely witness in the federal to just one count, and guilty plea and agreement briefly at an afternoon Intelligence Agency chief,
investigation into whether Flynn was a vocal Trump
Russia and associates of surrogate during the
the president collaborated campaign and was known
to influence the 2016 U.S. for leading crowds in “Lock
presidential election in her up” chants regarding
Trump’s favor. Hillary Clinton’s use of a
Friday’s developments private email server.
don’t resolve that Flynn was interviewed by
paramount question, the FBI days after Trump’s
but they do show that inauguration.
Flynn lied to the FBI about He was forced to resign
multiple conversations last following news reports
December with the Russian indicating that the Trump
ambassador to the United White House had been
States. Court papers make warned by Obama
clear that Flynn knows the administration officials that
identities of members of he had discussed sanctions
Trump’s transition team with Kislyak and was
who were fully aware of therefore compromised
his outreach to Russian and potentially vulnerable
officials in the weeks before to blackmail. White House
the inauguration. Mueller’s officials including Pence,
prosecutors indicated the who had declared publicly
officials were senior and Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, center, arrives at federal court in Washington, that Flynn never discussed
within Trump’s inner circle. Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to making false statements to the FBI, the first sanctions, said they had
That revelation moves Trump White House official to make a guilty plea so far in a wide-ranging investigation led by been misled. The court case
the Russia investigation, special counsel Robert Mueller. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Friday concerns a series of
which has shadowed conversations that Flynn
Trump throughout the year, faces a guideline range of to cooperate with the White House holiday had with Kislyak during the
deeper into the White zero to 6 months in prison, Special Counsel’s Office reception for the media, transition period between
House and raises questions suggest that prosecutors reflect a decision I made where he offered season’s the November election and
about the accuracy of see him as a valuable tool in the best interests of my greetings and departed the Jan. 20 inauguration.
repeated assertions by in their investigation and family and of our country.” without addressing the Prosecutors say Flynn on
the administration that are granting a degree of The Russia investigation Mueller investigation. Dec. 29 spoke with an
Flynn had misled Vice leniency in exchange for has persistently followed Early on in his unnamed senior transition
President Mike Pence and cooperation. Trump the first year of his administration, Trump team official about what,
other officials about the White House lawyer Ty presidency, angering the had taken a particular if anything, to say about
content of his calls with Cobb sought to distance president and repeatedly interest in the status of sanctions that had been
the ambassador, Sergey the plea from Trump distracting from his the Flynn investigation. imposed on Russia one
Kislyak. himself, saying: “Nothing agenda. Flynn’s plea Former FBI Director James day earlier by the Obama
Trump son-in-law Jared about the guilty plea or the came as Republican Comey, whose firing in administration in retaliation
Kushner had led a charge implicates anyone senators labored to pass a May precipitated the for election interference.
transition team effort to other than Mr. Flynn.” far-reaching tax bill, which appointment of Mueller Flynn then requested the
defeat a United Nations Flynn, the longtime soldier, would be a significant as special counsel, has Russian ambassador “not
vote referenced in the stood quietly during his victory for Trump. said Trump asked him escalate the situation” and
court papers, according plea hearing except to On Friday, the president in a private Oval Office respond “in a reciprocal
to former U.S. officials and answer brief questions from ignored reporters’ shouted meeting to consider manner,” a conversation
foreign diplomats. the judge. He accepted questions as he welcomed ending the investigation that prosecutors say he
Though prosecutors also responsibility for his actions the Libyan prime minister to into Flynn. Comey has said then reported to transition
had investigated Flynn in a written statement, the White House, and aides he found the encounter so team members.q