WASHINGTON, D.C. թ§Չ-Չ Today, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty for making թ§Չ-ժmaterially false, fictitious and fraudulent statementsթ§Չ-Թ to federal officials, reports the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted Flynn for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) about conversations with the Russian Ambassador during the presidential transition, as well as false statements about his involvement with the Republic of Turkey.
According to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Flynn made թ§Չ-ժmaterially false statements and omissionsթ§Չ-Թ regarding his lobbying activities on behalf of the Republic of Turkey and the Erdogan government.
թ§Չ-ժThe newest revelations about Flynn is just the tip of the iceberg. While prosecutors have uncovered some vital information, there is much more yet to come to light, especially regarding Turkey’s continued use of illegal funds to influence national security at the highest levels. This practice has been ongoing and needs to be halted,թ§Չ-Թ Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian said. թ§Չ-ժAs we have previously urged, there needs to be thorough public Congressional hearings to fully expose Turkey’s attempts to influence the United States Government, which is a direct attack on our democratic values,թ§Չ-Թ they added.
Reports indicated that Flynn would be paid $15 million to secretly carry out Turkey’s bidding. Flynn was already paid $530,000 last year for work the Justice Department says benefited the government of Turkey, and did not register as a foreign agent at the time.
The Assembly has repeatedly highlighted Turkey’s attempts to gain surreptitious influence over U.S. officials to the detriment of U.S. national security, and has called for investigations therein. The Assembly has also urged Representatives who joined the Turkish and Azeri Caucuses to withdraw their membership. Some already have.
թ§Չ-ժMembers ought not to associate themselves with such corrupt and authoritarian regimes. Given Turkey’s treatment of Christians, dangerously rogue behavior, denial of the Armenian Genocide and support for Azerbaijan’s ISIS-style beheadings and other attacks, it is well past time for Members of Congress to withdraw their membership from the Turkish and Azeri Congressional Caucuses,թ§Չ-Թ reiterated the Assembly Co-Chairs.
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