Blumenthal Seeks Answers About Flynn's Conflicts of Interests - Including Who Knew What, and When
In letters today to Vice President Pence, White House Counsel Don McGahn, and former Flynn clients, Blumenthal raises concerns regarding newly revealed, previously undisclosed Flynn business interests
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcomittee on the Constitution, wrote Vice President Mike Pence and White House Counsel Don McGahn today to raise concerns regarding former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s conduct while working on the Trump transition team and at the White House. Recent reports in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post revealed previously undisclosed meetings Flynn held with foreign officials to discuss the forced rendition of a Turkish exile, and client interests Flynn may have continued to promote while serving in an official capacity.
In separate letters, Blumenthal sought answers from Pence, Flynn’s former supervisor on the transition team, and McGahn regarding the full extent of Flynn’s conflicts of interest, including who else on the transition team or in the Administration may have been aware of his unethical – and possibly illegal - conduct.
“I am deeply troubled by these reports and the possibility that Mr. Flynn was acting as a lobbyist on behalf of foreign nations within the Trump transition and Administration,” Blumenthal wrote separately to Pence and McGahan. “It is imperative that we learn the full extent of Mr. Flynn’s hidden lobbying for special interests or foreign interests while on the transition team and in the White House, as well as any undisclosed work he did for the Russian or Turkish governments, so that we may know his legal liability.”
Today Blumenthal also wrote to the former clients – IP3 and ACU Strategic Partners – Flynn reportedly advocated for while on the transition team and at the White House. According to a recent report in the Washington Post, Flynn used his influence as the National Security Advisor to advance several proposals that could have benefited these companies. One of these former clients, ACU Strategic Partners, has also previously sought cooperation with Russian interests.
Blumenthal’s letter to Pence is available here. Blumenthal’s letter to McGahan is available here. Blumenthal’s letter to IP3 is available here. Blumenthal’s letter to ACU Strategic Partners is available here.