Flynn Could Owe Thousands In Penalties For Russia, Turkey Foreign Agent Work
Even with a Donald Trump pardon in his back pocket, Michael Flynn still could be facing consequences for his lobbying work on behalf of Russia and Turkey. The Defense Department’s Inspector General on Friday disclosed that it has ended its long-delayed investigation into Flynn and forwarded its final report and recommendations for administrative actions to the Army.
Flynn, who retired as a three-star general in 2014, could be hit with tens of thousands of dollars in financial penalties if he is found to have violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause which prohibits U.S. officials – including former service members – from accepting money or gifts from foreign governments.
The investigation focused on the $45,000 the retired general was paid to sit alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a 2015 gala dinner in Moscow and his work as a foreign agent representing Turkish interests for a Netherlands-based company. Flynn’s consulting company was paid $530,000 by that company.