Additional documents released today in the case of General Michael Flynn show that the FBI closed it's investigation into General Flynn on January 4, of 2017, after finding no connections to Russia, and receiving reports containing "no derogatory information" back from what are presumably the FBI, CIA, and DIA. The production contains emails and never before seen text messages between Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and another individual, who's identity is redacted throughout. The documents encompass a timeline of correspondence on January 4, 2017, the day the investigation was closed, and the period between January 21-January 24.
Sidney Powell, General Flynn's attorney said, "The revelations of corruption by the FBI to intentionally frame General Flynn for crimes the FBI manufactured piles on with each new production of documents. Unequivocally, the documents prove the egregious extent to which those involved violated the constitutional rights of the National Security Advisor of the United States of America and a military hero, who put his life on the line for over three decades to preserve those very rights for every American citizen."
In the production of new text messages between Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, we now know that there in fact exists an original 302 document created by SSA 1, from Stzrok's own notes of the January 24, 2017 ambush interview of General Flynn. Further, we know that SSA 1’s original 302 document went to Stzrok who rewrote it substantially, but tried not to “completely re-write it so as to save [redacted] voice” . It was then was shared by Stzrok with a “pissed off” Page who revised it substantively yet again, crafting the narrative to charge Gen Flynn with a crime he did not commit.
In the early and late evening of February 10, 2017, an irritated Page texted Peter Strzok complaining: “This document pisses me off. You didn’t even attempt to make this cogent and readable.? This is lazy work on your part.” The two were editing the Flynn 302 that was shortly to be entered as final—once McCabe approved it. Strzok replied to Page assuring her he’d put plenty of work into the document: “Lisa you didn’t see it before my edits that went into what I sent you. I was 1) trying to completely re-write the thing so as to save [SSA 1]’s voice and 2) get it out to you for general review and comment in anticipation of needing it soon. I greatly appreciate your time in reviewing and your edits I incorporated them. Thank you.” Strzok then corrected his first statement, texting: “should say 1) trying to not completely rewrite…”
Sidney Powell said "As repugnant as this conduct is on its face, the travel of this vital document establishes continuously – and until this day – the original FBI agents, the prosecutors, and FBI management’s determination to withhold exculpatory evidence required under Brady, among other violations of Gen Flynn’s civil rights. They withheld it not only to try to convict an innocent man, but to hide their own crimes."
Also noteworthy, is the revelation that the FBI used the story fabricated by Stefan Halper to begin the investigation; that story involved Cambridge scholar Svetlana Lkhova, who happened to be at a dinner with Flynn in 2014. During an interview on the Dark to Light podcast, Lokhova outlined the entire plot and explained the mechanics in detail. You can listen to a clip below. Svetlana will join the Dark to Light podcast again tomorrow to discuss recent developments.
When the plan to target general Flynn by tying him to Lokhova (who Halper fabricated was a Russian agent) failed, the documents show that the FBI shifted gears, and got the "7th Floor involved", a reference to the upper echelon of the FBI. What follows then, is a recitation of lies from Halper about Flynn being at the infamous dinner in London when Ms. Lokhova—a British historian of Russian descent—was also present. This was while Flynn was head of DIA for Obama, and Halper was receiving payment from the US Government for his work, including from the Pentagon Office of Net Assessment. Halper wasn’t at the dinner—which was attended by about 20 members of the DIA, MI6, MI5, etc, which was reported to be benign. Everyone in attendance had been vetted by the Defense Intelligence Agency and others.
Sidney Powell said "Email messages in this production bolster the now widely known egregious conduct of the FBI in their plot to get Gen. Flynn one way or the other with total disregard for fairness, justice, decency, and the law."
The new production shows that after the FBI was supposed to have closed the investigation into General Flynn, Peter Strzok texts SSA 1 (believed to be Joseph Pientka) and states "“hey, if you haven’t closed [RAZOR], don’t do so yet.” Surprised that “serendipitously,” the file was still open, Page texts Strzok: “But yeah, that’s amazing he is still open. Good I guess.” Strzok replies “Yeah, our utter incompetence actually helps us.”
The report released shows that the FBI had absolutely no predicate to keep an investigation open on General Flynn, but frantically reacted to make sure the file wasn't closed, even after coming to that conclusion. As Strzok moved as quickly as he could to hold the Flynn file open, he received a text from a colleague redacted in the release: “Should I be concerned?” Strzok replied: “Possibly. Will know more in a bit. I’ll lync you in 10-15.” An hour and a half later, SSA 1 texted the same redacted colleague: “Have you seen the latest [redacted]?” [Redacted] replied, “On the yellow side? Yes…[redacted.]” SSA 1 shot back quickly: “To give you a thumb nail I heard Pete say, Andy and [redacted] will interview…Lemme get more clarity before I give you more. The redacted colleague asked for clarification: "[Redacted] meaning Priestap, correct?” SSA 1 replied, “nope—[redacted colleague].”
We also learned much from emails produced. The Inspector General report on FISA abuse released by Michael Horowitz in late 2019 detailed how corrupt members of the FBI used Presidential Briefings as entrapment tools and investigative opportunities, rather than for their stated purpose. January 21, 2017, Strzok emailed Bill Priestap, Dina Corsi and other FBI officials whose names are redacted. The email discussed using a defensive briefing as a pretext to access Flynn. From a January 22, 2017 email chain, we see a redacted FBI official advising Strzok, Moffa and Page, that “if we usually tell the WH, then I think we should do what we would normally do. At the very least, I think we need to debrief or interview Razor (unless told not to). I think [redacted] will get to him regardless, so we should try to frame them in a way we want.” Razor is General Michael Flynn.
Also in the chain of emails: “We need to discuss what happens if DOJ directs us, or directly tells, VPOTUS or anyone else about the [redacted] specifically w/r/t what we do directly with him. I think it will be very difficult not to do some sort of overt step with him, a defensive briefing or interview under light ‘defensive briefing’ pretext, unless WH specifically directs us not to.” Additionally, on January 23, 2017, Strzok texted Page: “We’ll see about Bill. He was pretty adamant about what Andy it [sic] said with regard to that. And he mentioned on Saturday that he had several conversations with Andy. Bill sense with it [sic] and he wanted to know why we had to go aggressively doing these things, openly.”
Yesterday UncoverDC reported about an email chain, where Peter Strzok sent a list of questions to former FBI General Counsel James Baker and another redacted individual. The list identified potential questions that Flynn could ask Andrew McCabe while on a call. We now have a text message sent by Strzok to a redacted colleague: "“About to email you questions for Andy [McCabe] to think about in advance of his call with Flynn. I’m sure he’s thought of them already, but just in case.” Later that same morning, Strzok texted Page: “Bill just told [redacted] and me that he brought up – again this time in front of D – [redacted, but certainly Comey]. Didn’t know he was going to do that.” Page replied: “Yeah. dd is frustrated. Going into mtg. Do not repeat.” Strzok assured her: “I won’t. Bill said D started going one way and DD cut him off. I’d be frustrated too.”
General Flynn and his team now await Judge Sullivan's response.
Tracy Beanz is the Founder and Editor in Chief of UncoverDC. Follow her on Twitter @TracyBeanz
