Investigation Launched Into Michael Flynn: A Timeline Of His Foreign Payments Scandal
Former National Security Adviser for President Trump, Michael Flynn, can't seem to catch a break from his own scandal. On Thursday, the Pentagon inspector general launched an investigation of Flynn over payments he received from foreign sources. Here's what you need to know.
February 13: Flynn Resigns As National Security Adviser In Scandal, News Breaks Of Foreign Payments Investigation
On Monday, February 13th, Michael Flynn resigned as President Trump's National Security Adviser after lying to Mike Pence and the general public about a conversation he had with the Russian ambassador while Barack Obama was still president. Flynn did not disclose a discussion that he had with the ambassador about sanctions imposed on the country by President Obama — an apparent breach of the Logan Act, which prohibits unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign powers.
That same day, The New York Times reported that Flynn was under investigation by the Army for payments he received from foreign actors, a breach of the Emoluments Clause.
March 10: Flynn Retroactively Files As A Foreign Agent
In early March, Flynn retroactively filed as a foreign agent with the Justice Department in order to register $530,000 worth of lobbying that he did in 2016 on behalf of a Turkish company Inovo, that is deeply linked to the Turkish government.
Politico later reported that Ekim Alptekin frequently organized lobbying with Russian energy executive Dmitiri "David" Zaikin.
March 16: News Breaks That Flynn Was Paid To Speak By Russian Network RT
Elijah Cummings, a top Democrat on the House oversight committee, released checks, emails and invoices showing that Flynn was paid $34,000 to attend and sit next to Vladamir Putin at an event held by the Russian-run RT network. The work was conducted just two months before Flynn began working as Trump's National Security Adviser when he was presumably already working with Trump.
April 1: Flynn Requests Immunity In Russia Probe, Is Rejected
On March 30th, Michael Flynn reportedly requested immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee's probe on Russian election interference. The request was denied, citing paperwork that needed to be reviewed on Flynn's work for foreign entities.
April 25: House Oversight Members Say Flynn Broke The Law
On Tuesday, Elijah Cummings along with oversight chair Jason Chaffetz told the press that Flynn likely broke the law by receiving foreign payments, but that the White House has refused to cooperate with the investigation by not providing any documents related to Flynn's hiring or firing.
April 27: Elijah Cummings Releases Documents Showing Flynn Was Warned About Accepting Foreign Payments
Thursday, Representative Cummings, released three documents that seem to illustrate that Flynn knowingly broke the law: one showing Flynn was under investigation by the Pentagon, one showing that Flynn was warned against taking foreign payments as he retired after he requested clarification of lobbying rules, and one document showing that they didn't have records of Flynn requesting permission or documenting receiving money from a foreign source. In a press conference held over the release, Cummings accused the White House of a cover-up.
April 27: Press Secretary Sean Spicer Blames Obama Administration
On Thursday afternoon, Press Secretary Sean Spicer face a hungry press. When asked about how Flynn slipped through the cracks with his lobbying work, Spicer told reporters that the Trump administration chose not to rerun a background check on Flynn because he had already secured and maintained a security clearance as a general.
