Special Counsel Robert Mueller has just issued a stunning sentencing recommendation in the case of Michael Flynn.
He is recommending no jail times based on extensive cooperation, ABC News is reporting.
“Given the defendant’s substantial assistance and other considerations set forth,” the special counsel wrote, “a sentence at the low end of the guideline range—including a sentence that does not impose a term of incarceration—is appropriate and warranted.”
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Today was the deadline for the Flynn sentencing report, Stars and Stripes is reporting:
The special counsel is facing a Tuesday deadline in Michael Flynn’s case to file a memorandum recommending a sentence and providing a federal judge with a description of how valuable the retired U.S. Army lieutenant general has been to the probe.
The deadline comes ahead of Flynn’s Dec. 18 sentencing and more than a year after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about reaching out to Russian government officials on Trump’s behalf.
Federal sentencing guidelines recommend between zero and six months in prison for Flynn, leaving open the possibility of probation.
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The detailing of at least some of Flynn’s cooperation also comes as Trump has increasingly vented his anger at the probe — and at one of his former confidantes who cooperated with it.
The Daily Mail reports that much is unknown about the extent, if any, of Flynn’s cooperation with the Mueller team:
Absent any public declarations, it has been unclear how much he has been helping Mueller’s team in their Russia probe.
Neither side has made public comments since his guilty plea. In the memo, where prosecutors often pitch for leniency by citing a witnesses level of cooperation, the nature of his help will be at least partly revealed.
However it was unclear whether or not the memo would remain under seal.
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Flynn is a potential font of information, having had contacts with Russia’s former ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, during his time advising Trump and during a transition period.
Mueller’s team also is examining potential obstruction of justice.
Former FBI Director James Comey testified that during his tenure, Trump approached him about whether he could let the Flynn matter go.
This is a developing story and we’ll update as we know more.
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