Michael Flynn claims that the Trump campaign ordered him to contact Russia

Michael Flynn says senior Trump campaign officials directed his communications with Russians
The former national security adviser has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, Independent UK,  Emily Shugerman New York, 1 Dec 17,  Donald Trump’s former national security adviser has claimed the Trump campaign ordered him to contact Russia during their transition to the White House.

Michael Flynn alleged in a plea deal that a senior campaign official directed him to make contact with Russian officials. The plea deal did not name the senior official.

Mr Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to making a false statement to the FBI regarding the investigation. The ex-adviser lied to agents about his conversations with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, telling them he had not counselled Mr Kislyak on how to respond to sanctions imposed by then-President Barack Obama during the transition.

The former national security adviser is the first senior member of the Trump transition team to plead guilty as a result of the Russia investigation.

In a statement, Mr Flynn called his actions “wrong,” and said he had chosen to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’sinvestigation “in the best interests of my family and of our country”. Mr Mueller is investigating possible collusion with Russia and obstruction of justice by the Trump team……..

The 58-year-old is the fourth Trump campaign associate to be charged in Mr Mueller’s Russia probe. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were charged with various financial crimes last month. Both pleaded not guilty.

George Papadopolous, a former campaign adviser also charged by Mr Mueller, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia sources http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/michael-flynn-trump-russia-directed-communications-mar-a-lago-senior-official-latest-news-updates-a8087431.html

December 2, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, secrets,lies and civil liberties