Flynn detailed attempts to obstruct Russia probe - U.S. court filing

[webfact]

Flynn detailed attempts to obstruct Russia probe - U.S. court filing

By Nathan Layne

 

FILE PHOTO: Former national security adviser Michael Flynn exits a vehicle as he arrives for his sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

(Reuters) - Former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn gave Special Counsel Robert Mueller information about attempts by people tied to the Trump administration and Congress to obstruct the Russia investigation, court documents released on Thursday showed.

 

The documents revealed for the first time sections that had originally been blacked out before last month's release of Mueller's report on his probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. The new disclosures were made at prosecutors' request.

 

Flynn "informed the government of multiple instances, both before and after his guilty plea, where either he or his attorneys received communications from persons connected to the Administration or Congress that could have affected both his willingness to cooperate and the completeness of that cooperation," Mueller wrote in a memo originally submitted ahead of Flynn's planned sentencing on Dec. 18, 2018.

 

"The defendant even provided a voicemail recording of one such communication. In some instances, the SCO was unaware of the outreach until being alerted to it by the defendant," he wrote, using the acronym for the Special Counsel's Office.

 

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who is overseeing Flynn's case, further ordered the government to disclose transcripts of the voicemail recording and of Flynn's conversations with Russian officials by May 31, and an unredacted version of the sections of Mueller's report relating to Flynn.

 

Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents about his December 2016 conversations with Sergei Kislyak, then Russia’s ambassador in Washington, about U.S. sanctions imposed on Moscow by the administration of Trump’s Democratic predecessor Barack Obama. The conversations took place between Trump's November election victory and his inauguration in January 2017.

 

Flynn had been scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18 but the judge fiercely criticized the retired U.S. Army lieutenant general for his actions and delayed his sentencing until after he had finished helping prosecutors with other probes.

 

Mueller has asked for the judge not to sentence Flynn to prison given his substantial cooperation.

 

Flynn is still cooperating with prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia against his former business partner, Bijan Rafiekian, who was indicted on allegations of unregistered lobbying on behalf of Turkey. Rafiekian has pleaded not guilty and will take his case to a trial scheduled to begin in July.

 

Mueller completed his investigation in March. While he did not find that there was a conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign to influence the 2016 election, his report describes multiple actions Trump took to try to impede the investigation. The report stopped short of declaring Trump had committed a crime.

 

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by James Dalgleish and Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-17

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[helpisgood]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

Former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn gave Special Counsel Robert Mueller information about attempts by people tied to the Trump administration and Congress to obstruct the Russia investigation,

 

So maybe Mueller's team was, after all, hunting for a coven of witches that Trump had surrounded himself with.  Or, maybe it was more of a warlock hunt?  ????  

[TopDeadSenter]

Still beating this dead 4 legged quadruped? While most people have moved on to the delicious new and most important phase of the Russia collusion hoax ie the hunters becoming the hunted. I expect Mueller, Comey, those that paid for the fantasy Steele report which was known to be nonsense by the FBI, and the rest of the swamp beasts to be behind bars for spying on Trump and launching an illegal investigation/soft coup attempt in the not too distant future. A much more exciting development than still harping on about the collusion that wasn't.

[Chomper Higgot]

Barr is in a bit of fix now.

 

He has been ordered by Judge Sullivan to release all redacted portions of the Mueller report that relate to Flynn.

 

Apart from seeing what was redacted we will also get to see if the reason Barr gave for those redactions is legitimate.

 

Those who attempted to obstruct, justice are about to be exposed, one of whom is reportedly a member of Congress.

 

Orifice twitching time is upon them.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

A much more exciting development than still harping on about the collusion that wasn't.

 

Actually, if you had actually read the Mueller report itself instead of just Fox News reports, you would know and understand that there was PLENTY of collusion between Russian interests and Trump-related folks leading up to the presidential election.

 

Unfortunately, Mueller's take was that the main criminal offense possible to deal with such collusion was criminal conspiracy, and proving that requires being able to prove that the conspiring parties knew what they were doing was illegal conspiracy--something Mueller and Co. didn't think they could prove as regards Don Jr. and various others.

 

Likewise with Trump himself, the report calls out plenty of instances where Trump tried to obstruct the special counsel investigation into Russian collusion during the campaign, including trying to get the special counsel removed. But in part because some around Trump didn't follow thru on his orders and in part because of the high bar set for charging a sitting president, Mueller wasn't willing to go there.

 

None of that excuses or exonerates what Trump and those around him did.  Trump's lucky he managed to steal the presidency and the legal protections that comes with it.

[mtls2005]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The documents revealed for the first time sections that had originally been blacked out before last month's release of Mueller's report on his probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.

 

I'm sure Barr had a good reason to redact this information.

 

Because it looks bad?

 

 

Honestly, they would have been much better off just releasing the entire report, unredacted, along with ALL of the underlying documentation, from the get-go. Like Ken Starr did.

 

 

 

This slow bleed will be 10x more painful.

 

Flynn's congressional testimony, along with Mueller's will be entertaining.

 

Actually, maybe this is a good thing? Stretch it out, and trump is subject to a thousand cuts.

 

 

[Boon Mee]

Flynn was set up by Sally Yates. Gonna be real interesting as the truth comes out. These Deep State characters are already turning on each other. 

[bungcheese]

2 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Still beating this dead 4 legged quadruped? While most people have moved on to the delicious new and most important phase of the Russia collusion hoax ie the hunters becoming the hunted. I expect Mueller, Comey, those that paid for the fantasy Steele report which was known to be nonsense by the FBI, and the rest of the swamp beasts to be behind bars for spying on Trump and launching an illegal investigation/soft coup attempt in the not too distant future. A much more exciting development than still harping on about the collusion that wasn't.

"Collusion Delusion" seems to be a rampant disease among the left swamp creatures and all those who  believe all the fake conspiracy theories. My advice to all the conspiracy theorists, stop watching CNN, MSNBC and Al Jazeera etc. These news channels will just fill your brain with poison, falsehoods and pure nonsense. The economic statistics while Trump has been in office tell the real story.

[candide]

7 minutes ago, bungcheese said:

"Collusion Delusion" seems to be a rampant disease among the left swamp creatures and all those who  believe all the fake conspiracy theories. My advice to all the conspiracy theorists, stop watching CNN, MSNBC and Al Jazeera etc. These news channels will just fill your brain with poison, falsehoods and pure nonsense. The economic statistics while Trump has been in office tell the real story.

Says a conspiracy theorist.

[mtls2005]

20 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

Flynn was set up by Sally Yates.

 

On a date?

 

Seriously?

 

You do realize that Flynn is a cooperating witness?

 

22 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

Gonna be real interesting as the truth comes out.

Well, it's slowly being un-redacted so you should be happy.

 

23 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

These Deep State characters are already turning on each other.

Flynn, McGahn, Gates, Cohen...pretty much the entire WH staff seem to be ratting each other out.

 

Be careful what you wish for. An investigation into the origins of the Mueller probe will likely be less flattering than you are probably led to believe by Fox and Friends?

 

 

[soalbundy]

14 minutes ago, bungcheese said:

"Collusion Delusion" seems to be a rampant disease among the left swamp creatures and all those who  believe all the fake conspiracy theories. My advice to all the conspiracy theorists, stop watching CNN, MSNBC and Al Jazeera etc. These news channels will just fill your brain with poison, falsehoods and pure nonsense. The economic statistics while Trump has been in office tell the real story.

Watch FOX instead?

[JusticeGB]

I thought that many Asian Countries were corrupt but obviously the USA beats them all. A 2 year investigation by Mueller didn't reveal any collusion only that Trump is a habitual liar. But the Mueller investigation was based on a flawed document that may have involved Obama! 

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"The defendant even provided a voicemail recording of one such communication.

Just incredible arrogance, like President Nixon secretly taping criminal plans.

[metisdead]

A troll post containing an offensive reference has been removed as well as the replies. 

[mtls2005]

Apparently, Devin (rhymes with Yacht/Cocaine/Prostitutes) Nunes's Cow is cooked. Stick a fork in him.

 

 

[riclag]

7 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Apparently, Devin (rhymes with Yacht/Cocaine/Prostitutes) Nunes's Cow is cooked. Stick a fork in him.

 

 

Conspiracy theories 

[connda]

Those weeping in the streets after Trump's election couldn't manufacture 'collusion' (including the US MSM), so now they will manufacture 'obstruction' (including the US MSM). 

I don't particularly support Trump's agenda, but he was elected.  Attempting to unseat a sitting president is a slippery slope, and one that is best not to traversed, or only traverse by morons.  Once down that path - kiss any concept of a Republic goodbye...which by the way, is closer to what I believe to be the plan, i.e., dump the US Constitutional Republic for something else.  

Be careful what you wish for. 

[mtls2005]

2 minutes ago, connda said:

Those weeping in the streets after Trump's election couldn't manufacture 'collusion' (including the US MSM), so now they will manufacture 'obstruction' (including the US MSM). 

 

Last heard laments like this circa 1973, when the Silent Majority was all in on Tricky Dick. It's a long walk to Marine One.

 

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Attempting to unseat a sitting president is a slippery slope

No one is attempting to unseat a President, well I mean other than in 1998. And maybe 1974. So loosen your grip on those pearls.

 

 

 

[riclag]

1 minute ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Last heard laments like this circa 1973, when the Silent Majority was all in on Tricky Dick. It's a long walk to Marine One.

 

No one is attempting to unseat a President, well I mean other than in 1998. And maybe 1974. So loosen your grip on those pearls.

 

 

 

We'll stop him(Stroz)

[mtls2005]

3 minutes ago, riclag said:

We'll stop him(Stroz)

 

Lemme guess? Coup by -out of context - text? Yeah, that's always a winner. 

 

So now you're against free speech?

 

"I love it" Don Jr. (email)

 

 

[Mavideol]

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Barr is in a bit of fix now.

 

He has been ordered by Judge Sullivan to release all redacted portions of the Mueller report that relate to Flynn.

 

Apart from seeing what was redacted we will also get to see if the reason Barr gave for those redactions is legitimate.

 

Those who attempted to obstruct, justice are about to be exposed, one of whom is reportedly a member of Congress.

 

Orifice twitching time is upon them.

and so the POTUS still "free" to twitter all of his garbage about no collision no obstruction, he should be the 1st to go

[riclag]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who is overseeing Flynn's case, further ordered the government to disclose transcripts of the voicemail recording and of Flynn's conversations with Russian officials by May 31, and an unredacted version of the sections of Mueller's report relating to Flynn.

But yet , after knowing this, Mueller concluded  of the probe  "no additional indictments"

[riclag]

13 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

and so the POTUS still "free" to twitter all of his garbage about no collision no obstruction, he should be the 1st to go

He should go the democratic way ,impeachment /senate trial or vote by the people! Not the way of propaganda ,conspiracy theories and character assassinations by his political enemies driven by hate 

[Mavideol]

6 minutes ago, riclag said:

He should go the democratic way ,impeachment or vote by the people! Not the way of hate driven by propaganda ,conspiracy theories and character assassinations by his political enemies 

vote by the people would be a long and costly process, impeachment maybe faster and less costly but the dems appear to be playing his game and go all out during the 2020 campaign

[riclag]

1 minute ago, Mavideol said:

vote by the people would be a long and costly process, impeachment maybe faster and less costly but the dems appear to be playing his game and go all out during the 2020 campaign

 The vote nov 3,2020 costly and long, its the democratic way

[Gecko123]

Stop worrying about Trump and start worrying about the constitution and democracy. And for God's sake, read the Mueller report for yourself, and stop listening to other people about what is and isn't in it. The redactions pertaining to Flynn which are already being disclosed look suspiciously like they were made by Barr to conceal important evidence damaging to Trump from Congress and the American people.

 

[GreasyFingers]

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Flynn, McGahn, Gates, Cohen...pretty much the entire WH staff seem to be ratting each other out.

I thought it was only women who played kiss & tell.

[Guitarzan]

9 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Actually, if you had actually read the Mueller report itself instead of just Fox News reports, you would know and understand that there was PLENTY of collusion between Russian interests and Trump-related folks leading up to the presidential election.

 

Unfortunately, Mueller's take was that the main criminal offense possible to deal with such collusion was criminal conspiracy, and proving that requires being able to prove that the conspiring parties knew what they were doing was illegal conspiracy--something Mueller and Co. didn't think they could prove as regards Don Jr. and various others.

 

Likewise with Trump himself, the report calls out plenty of instances where Trump tried to obstruct the special counsel investigation into Russian collusion during the campaign, including trying to get the special counsel removed. But in part because some around Trump didn't follow thru on his orders and in part because of the high bar set for charging a sitting president, Mueller wasn't willing to go there.

 

None of that excuses or exonerates what Trump and those around him did.  Trump's lucky he managed to steal the presidency and the legal protections that comes with it.

I'm guessing you didn't read the Mueller report yourself... did you?  You are a lawyer, or are you just throwing out more BullSh@rt because your dreams of Russian collusion - which BTW, isn't a crime - never materialized? Why not spend your time advising the corrupt DNC in how to win in 2020, like coming up with a platform that isn't get Trump by ant means possible?  

You and your party are gonna be in a world of hurt after the IG report comes out and we find out the truth about who was actually colluding with the Russians. 

[Chomper Higgot]

5 hours ago, riclag said:

But yet , after knowing this, Mueller concluded  of the probe  "no additional indictments"

Barr made the statement “no additional indictments”.

 

Then when the redacted Mueller report was released we discover it includes 14 indictments, 12 of which had never previously been reported (ie New).

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, Guitarzan said:

I'm guessing you didn't read the Mueller report yourself... did you?  You are a lawyer, or are you just throwing out more BullSh@rt because your dreams of Russian collusion - which BTW, isn't a crime - never materialized? Why not spend your time advising the corrupt DNC in how to win in 2020, like coming up with a platform that isn't get Trump by ant means possible?  

You and your party are gonna be in a world of hurt after the IG report comes out and we find out the truth about who was actually colluding with the Russians. 

Well clearly you didn’t read the Mueller report, or if you did you failed to grasp what’s in it.

 

Din’t fret, Robert Mueller will explain it to you when he gives testimony before Congress.