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- Pentagon to probe former Trump adviser Flynn over unauthorized foreign payments
Pentagon to probe former Trump adviser Flynn over unauthorized foreign payments
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![Michael Flynn, a close advisor on President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, was forced to step down as Trump's national security advisor last month](https://cdn.i24news.tv/upload/image/afp-dd1764934d4c12b90fbbd69a8c5556a3ef634369.jpg?width=1000)
The U.S. Department of Defense inspector general is launching an independent investigation into whether former US national security adviser Michael Flynn accepted payments from foreign entities without approval, according to a letter released by House Democrats on Thursday.
The Pentagon inspector general will probe whether Flynn had "failed to obtain required approval prior to receiving any emolument from a foreign government," according to the April 11 letter to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, says that Pentagon warned Flynn in 2014 that he was barred from receiving payments from foreign sources, and that the warning "could not have been clearer."
He added that there was "not a shred of evidence" that Flynn had obtained such permission.
The House Oversight Committee leaders said Tuesday that it appeared that Flynn, a former military officer who resigned following reports that he lobbied for the Turkish government without registering as a foreign agent, failed to receive permission for or fully disclose income he earned for that work and for a speaking engagement in Russia.
Cummings further accused the White House of "playing games" for failing to hand over documents related to the hiring and firing of Flynn.
The Senate Intelligence Committee said last month that it had rejected a request from Flynn for immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony regarding alleged cooperation between the Trump campaign and Moscow in boosting his election changes.
More to follow.