Ousted US national security advisor Michael Flynn has “a story to tell,” his lawyer said Thursday amid reports that in exchange for immunity Flynn has offered to testify about alleged ties between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia.
Flynn proposed his deal to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the House and Senate intelligence committees, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday night.
Flynn, a close advisor on Trump’s 2016 campaign, was forced to step down as the administration’s national security advisor just weeks into the job last month.
His resignation came after it emerged that Flynn made misleading statements about alleged talks he held with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the presidential transition concerning Washington’s sanctions on Moscow.
The Journal said it wasn’t clear what exactly Flynn had offered to discuss.
But it quoted one unnamed official as saying the retired army general’s bid for immunity suggested potential “legal jeopardy” for Flynn.
Robert Kelner, a lawyer for Flynn, said in a statement tweeted late Thursday that “General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit.
“Out of respect for the committees, we will not comment right now on the details of discussions between counsel for General Flynn and the House and Senate intelligence committees, other than to confirm that those discussions have taken place.”
The New York Times quoted a congressional official as saying investigators are wary of cutting a deal with Flynn until they are further along in their probe and have a better idea of what information Flynn might offer.
The Times also quoted an expert as urging caution over Flynn’s offer of testimony.
Source: AFP
