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FBI not expected to pursue charges against Flynn

FBI not expected to pursue charges against Flynn
Posted at 5:01 PM, Feb 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-16 18:01:29-05

The FBI is not expected to pursue any charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn regarding a phone call with Russia's ambassador, barring new information that changes what they know, law enforcement officials told CNN Thursday.

Flynn was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this week after it was revealed that he withheld information from Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the US. A US official confirmed to CNN last week that Flynn and Kislyak discussed sanctions, among other matters, during a December call.

Flynn initially told investigators sanctions were not discussed. But FBI agents challenged him, asking if he was certain that was his answer. He said he didn't remember. The FBI interviewers believed Flynn was cooperative and provided truthful answers.

Although Flynn didn't remember all of what he talked about, they don't believe he was intentionally misleading them, the officials say. Further, then-acting Attorney General Sally Yates delayed notifying the White House until after Flynn was interviewed. At that point, FBI Director James Comey did not object to notifying the White House counsel.

There is still an ongoing, broader FBI review of Flynn and Russia-related dealings.