Nearly two years ago I attended Michael Flynn’s first (now only) sentencing hearing.
Up to that point, he'd seemed content with his plea deal with Mueller.
But at the hearing, something changed: Judge Emmet Sullivan implied he really might sentence Flynn to some prison time.
Up to that point, he'd seemed content with his plea deal with Mueller.
But at the hearing, something changed: Judge Emmet Sullivan implied he really might sentence Flynn to some prison time.
Mueller's team had said Flynn had cooperated substantially a sentence of no incarceration would be warranted.
But Sullivan tore into Flynn, making clear that that he viewed Flynn's crime as quite serious and that avoiding incarceration was no sure thing
vox.com/2018/12/18/181…
But Sullivan tore into Flynn, making clear that that he viewed Flynn's crime as quite serious and that avoiding incarceration was no sure thing
vox.com/2018/12/18/181…
So Flynn unexpectedly took an out.
He'd previously said he'd be happy to be sentenced, even though his cooperation in one non-Mueller case was not yet complete.
At the hearing, he changed his mind, saying he wanted to get full credit for his cooperation.
He'd previously said he'd be happy to be sentenced, even though his cooperation in one non-Mueller case was not yet complete.
At the hearing, he changed his mind, saying he wanted to get full credit for his cooperation.
Subsequent events suggest Flynn had something else in mind.
His cooperation in the other case did not, in fact, end up panning out. Meanwhile, Flynn ditched his lawyers and hired Sidney Powell, who proceeded to try and discredit and/or drag out the process
His cooperation in the other case did not, in fact, end up panning out. Meanwhile, Flynn ditched his lawyers and hired Sidney Powell, who proceeded to try and discredit and/or drag out the process
Still, Flynn was headed for another sentencing hearing, at the beginning of 2020.
But then he got an unexpected assist: the Justice Department announced it wanted to withdraw his case (even though Flynn had already pleaded guilty and reaffirmed his guilt under oath)
But then he got an unexpected assist: the Justice Department announced it wanted to withdraw his case (even though Flynn had already pleaded guilty and reaffirmed his guilt under oath)
That could have been the end, but Judge Sullivan smelled a rat and tried to put the brakes on that.
So a bizarre spectacle ensued this year, of the government and the defense working together to try and discredit Flynn's initial prosecution, before a skeptical judge
So a bizarre spectacle ensued this year, of the government and the defense working together to try and discredit Flynn's initial prosecution, before a skeptical judge
The last major action in the case was a tense September hearing before Judge Sullivan about whether he should let DOJ withdraw the case.
At it, Sidney Powell told the judge that she had recently spoken to Trump about it, but asked him not to pardon Flynn
At it, Sidney Powell told the judge that she had recently spoken to Trump about it, but asked him not to pardon Flynn
https://twitter.com/awprokop/status/1310989374335713281
Now, after Trump lost and before Judge Sullivan ruled, that pardon has arrived.
But we are still awaiting details on precisely what that pardon covered.
But we are still awaiting details on precisely what that pardon covered.
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