The family of former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn has launched a defense fund to raise money for mounting legal costs in the sprawling Russia election interference probe.
Flynn, who advised President Donald Trump’s election campaign but was fired 22 days into the new administration, is under investigation for misreporting his contacts with Russian officials and his alleged lobbying activities for Turkey while involved in the campaign.
A new website for the Michael T. Flynn Legal Defense Fund called his lawyer bills ‘tremendous.’
Former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn is raising money for his legal costs in the sprawling Russia election interference probe
Flynn and his son Mike Jr., shown at Trump Tower last November, are both promoting the legal defense fund on Twitter
‘The costs of legal representation associated with responding to the multiple investigations that have arisen in the wake of the 2016 election place a great burden on Mike and his family,’ the site said.
‘Any support provided is greatly appreciated.’
Flynn’s defense fund could potentially benefit from a change in the law to allow anonymous lobbyist and business donations to White House officials needing help with their legal defense.
Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner, and several other current and former advisers have all retained lawyers to deal with the investigations, with lawyers fees for some topping $1,000 an hour.
Launching an official fund opens the door for lobbyists and businesses to make anonymous donations
The fund was established by Flynn’s brother Joe and sister Barbara Redgate, who said in a statement the ‘enormous expense’ of legal fees had put a ‘tremendous financial burden on our brother Mike and his family.’
They asked supporters of the retired U.S. general, ‘veterans, and all people of goodwill’ to contribute to the fund, which will collect donations from U.S. citizens through a newly created website, according to the statement.
Flynn, a central figure in a federal probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller, as well as a focal point of congressional investigations, broke a months-long silence to thank his siblings for their support on Twitter.
‘Lori and I are very grateful to my brother Joe and sister Barbara for creating a fund to help pay my legal defense costs,’ Flynn said in a tweet, referring to his wife Lori.
‘We deeply appreciate the support of family and friends across this nation who have touched our lives.’
Flynn’s son, Michael Jr., tweeted: ‘Support @genflynn if you can..legal costs are what they are. I believe the truth will prevail. Hope others out there feel same. #TwoSides.’
Happier days: Flynn (right) is pictured on January 28 in the Oval Office with President Trump, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence and former press secretary Sean Spicer (top right)
Flynn’s son said ‘the truth will prevail’ – if his father has enough money to defend himself
Flynn faces probes in Congress, from Robert Mueller, the Justice Department’s independent prosecutor into Russian interference, and in the Defense Department, where Flynn formerly served as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
He has not been charged with anything.
But the investigations focus on several areas: his repeated discussions of US policy with Russian officials before and after Trump’s shock election victory in November 2016; accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars to lobby for Turkey while advising Trump; being paid $33,750 by Russian TV RT to appear at a Moscow event; and his efforts to bring together Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia in a deal for nuclear plants in the Middle East.
Potential charges include not reporting his business meetings, travels and payments as he was obligated to do as a former senior US military official.