Experts Say Manafort Charges Under Foreign-Agents Law Could Spell Trouble For Mike Flynn, Tony Podesta
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is hardly ever used to bring criminal charges. Former national security adviser Mike Flynn and lobbyist Tony Podesta are subject of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia ties with the 2016 election team.
Attorney Ronald Oleynik said he also could imagine trouble ahead for others, particularly for Flynn. “Whether that is enough to go after [Flynn] criminally will depend on how much Mueller is out to show that his special investigation was worthwhile,” Mr. Oleynik said. “In other words, there is a political element to this. The FARA charges play well because Trump has made foreign interests the bad guy, so it makes Mueller’s job easier to include, and highlight, FARA violations.”