Flynn issues statement on guilty plea: My actions were ‘wrong’

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn issued a statement Friday acknowledging his actions were “wrong” after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI in the ongoing special counsel investigation.

In the statement released by his lawyers, Flynn refuted accusations of “treason” that have been made against him, but apologized for lying to investigators. Flynn has made a plea deal with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team that ensures the former Trump administration official’s full cooperation with the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

{mosads}

“It has been extraordinarily painful to endure these many months of false accusations of ‘treason’ and other outrageous acts,” Flynn said in his statement.

“[T]he actions I acknowledged in court today were wrong, and, through my faith in God, I am working to set things right,” he added. “My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the Special Counsel’s Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country.”

The statement and move by Flynn come after days of speculation that the former national security adviser was cooperating with Mueller’s team following reports that Flynn terminated his information-sharing agreement with President Trump’s legal team.

Flynn is the first Trump administration official to be brought down by Mueller’s investigation. The sentence for the charge carries a maximum of five years in prison.