Justice Department settles malicious prosecution lawsuit from Trump ally Michael Flynn for $1.2 million

The Justice Department has agreed to a settlement of approximately $1.2 million with Michael Flynn, President Trump’s former national security advisor, to resolve his lawsuit claiming malicious prosecution. Flynn had initially sought at least $50 million, alleging the criminal case against him was politically motivated. The case stemmed from Flynn’s 2017 guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russian diplomat Sergey Kislyak regarding sanctions, a plea he later attempted to withdraw. He was ultimately pardoned by President Trump.

The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, framed the settlement as rectifying a “historic injustice” from the Russia investigation, emphasizing the need to prevent the “weaponization of the federal government.” Flynn, in a statement, expressed that no amount of money could fully compensate for the hardship his family endured.

The legal saga began with the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, which found Russia interfered and the Trump campaign welcomed the help, but did not establish a criminal conspiracy. Flynn’s conversations with Kislyak, where he advised a measured response to sanctions and hinted at improved relations under Trump, raised concerns within the FBI. The settlement marks the latest development in a complex case involving accusations of political bias and improper investigative tactics.

(Source：Adn)