Lying to the FBI is a felony, but "the FBI was not expected to pursue any charges against Flynn"

[Miles Archer]

WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn told FBI agents in an interview last month that he had not discussed sanctions against Russia with Moscow’s U.S. ambassador before President Donald Trump took office, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing current and former U.S. officials.

Flynn’s Jan. 24 interview with the Federal Bureau of Investigation could expose him to charges, since lying to the agency is a felony, but any decision to prosecute would lie with the Justice Department.

U.S. intelligence agencies intercepted Flynn’s call with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak after Trump’s election, in which the two discussed sanctions, the Post reported previously.

The FBI was not expected to pursue any charges against Flynn over the call unless new information emerged, CNN reported on Thursday, citing law enforcement officials.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fbi-no-charges-flynn_us_58a652ace4b037d17d265f9e?q9lvo5jqudgkqpvi&

[chillfactor]

1. give it time....

the media smells blood.....they will not let loose of this story.

[BainsBane]

2. I think there is more to the story

Than what we've read so far.

[Jersey Devil]

3. The FBI does not decide who gets charged and who doesn't

The FBI is a police agency. It does not prosecute anyone or make the decision to prosecute anyone. Those decisions are made by the Attorney General. Now does anyone really think Jeff Sessions is going to prosecute Flynn?

[strongermessage]

4. Correct. That's why an independent prosecutor needs appointed.

But, the rethugs in the house are more worried about the 2018 elections than national security.

[TubbersUK]

5. This thread is getting attention on Twitter

though I don't fully understand the implications at this point.

Link to tweet

John AravosisVerified account
‏@aravosis

John Aravosis Retweeted Fox News
1) Fox is saying that Trump was fully aware of the content of Flynn's calls with the Russians.John Aravosis added,

Link to tweet

[jmg257]

6. Makes sense..trump & spicer said they investigated, found nothing illegal

And were just angry he had lied to pence.

[TubbersUK]

8. Ah, I see now

I thought it was also interesting (and surprising) that Fox broke this bit of news.

[jmg257]

10. Huh wonder if trump has someone leaking to his faves. Control the story better?

[bigtree]

7. "over the call"

...his other contacts and relationship with Russians (during the election, before inauguration) is still actively under investigation.

[jmg257]

9. What's interesting is they have been doing these investigations for

Months on all these clowns, and "so far have found no evidence of collusion."

What the hell?

[Trekologer]

11. Proof of lie might not be admissible in court

Even though the intelligence services listen in to foreign agent calls, absent a warrant, the information gathered might be inadmissible.

[wishstar]

14. Flynn has admitted to WH he lied to Pence and did remember the entire content of conversations

There is no question he lied earlier to FBI, since when White House counsel brought him in for questioning, he admitted everything about the content of the conversations- verifying accuracy of the intelligence information presented to White House by Justice Dept.


Reason he won't be prosecuted is that although he initially gave flat denial to FBI, FBi continued pressing him so he knew they were onto his lie, and he changed his statement to FBI to say he didn't recall details of conversations. So FBI allowed him to hedge in his answer. Wash Post has article describing FBI interview with Flynn.

[SoCalDem]

12. Martha Stewart should have conspired with Russians

[Warren DeMontague]

13. Yeah, we certainly wouldn't want to prosecute Mr. "Lock her up" for breaking any laws, now.

[Rex]

15. If that was just a peon, they would be thrown in Leavenworth.

Two sets of rules, probably more.