Flynn Received Funds From Instrument of Russian Government
New Documents.
Click here to read Documents on Flynn’s Payment Sources and Amounts
Click here to read Email Chain #1 — Organized and Funded by RT
Click here to read Email Chain #2 — Invitation from RT
Click here to read Email Chain #3 — Michael Flynn Jr. and Covered Expenses
Click here to read Email Chain #4 — Event Logistics
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, Defense Secretary James Mattis, and FBI Director James Comey requesting information about whether Lt. General Michael Flynn fully disclosed — as part of the security clearance and vetting process for his return to government — his communications with and payments from Russian agents, Turkish agents, or any other foreign agents, as well as his payments from foreign sources.
“I cannot recall any time in our nation’s history when the President selected as his National Security Advisor someone who violated the Constitution by accepting tens of thousands of dollars from an agent of a global adversary that attacked our democracy,” Cummings wrote. “I also cannot recall a time when the President and his top advisers seemed so disinterested in the truth about that individual’s work on behalf of foreign nations — whether due to willful ignorance or knowing indifference.”
As part of his letter, Cummings released new documents obtained by the Oversight Committee — including payment vouchers, international financial transaction logs, and detailed email exchanges with Russian media officials — showing that the Kremlin-backed media outlet known as RT paid more than $45,000 for Flynn’s participation at a gala in Moscow in December 2015, during which he dined with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in apparent violation of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. intelligence agencies have warned since 2012 — while Flynn was serving as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency — that RT is an instrument of the Russian government. Flynn, who was President Trump’s campaign adviser before becoming National Security Advisor, has dissembled regarding the source of these funds and has refused to disclose the amounts he was paid.
The documents reveal that Flynn also received $11,250 from a Russian charter cargo airline and $11,250 from a top Russia-based cybersecurity corporation.
To investigate what was known about Flynn’s activities when he entered the White House in January, Cummings requested copies of Flynn’s answers to questions posed on security clearance applications regarding foreign contacts and payments. The U.S. Criminal Code provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing material information in a security clearance application is a felony that could result in criminal fines and up to five years in prison.
Cummings also requested that the Defense Department initiate steps to recover all foreign funds accepted by General Flynn in violation of the Emoluments Clause.
Click here to read today’s letter.
