After all, Flynn said, he knew federal officials "routinely monitor, record, and transcribe" conversations like the ones he had with Russian diplomats. FLYNN WAS UNDER FINANCIAL PRESSURE TO AVOID TRIAL; HAD TO SELL HIS HOME TO PAY LEGAL FEES BEFORE GUILTY PLEAStrzok's misconduct and anti-Trump bias are well-documented. Pientka's "participation in that presidential briefing was a calculated subterfuge to record and report ... anything Mr. Flynn and Mr. Trump said in that meeting," Flynn's lawyers wrote. Even after government lawyers told Covington to tell Flynn about the issue, Covington "kept it all a secret" from Flynn and left him "defenseless," without urging Flynn to seek independent counsel. Flynn's lawyers, earlier this month, argued that "because of the government's bad faith, vindictiveness and breach of the plea agreement," Flynn's plea should be withdrawn.

Source: Fox News January 29, 2020 21:43 UTC