Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible ties between Donald Trump’s election campaign and Russia, is expanding his probe to include a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a number of sources have told Reuters.
The move means Mr Mueller’s inquiry will now look into Mr Flynn’s paid work as a lobbyist for a Turkish businessman in 2016, in addition to contacts between Russian officials and Mr Flynn and other Trump associates during and after the presidential election.
Federal prosecutors in Virginia are investigating a deal between Mr Flynn and Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin as part of a grand jury criminal probe, according to a subpoena seen by Reuters.
Mr Alptekin’s company, Dutch-based Inovo BV, paid Mr Flynn's consultancy $530,000 between September and November to produce a documentary and research on Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric living in the United States.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan blames Mr Gulen for a failed coup last July.
Mr Alptekin, an ally of the Turkish leader, told Reuters he hired Mr Flynn to provide research on how Mr Gulen is poisoning the atmosphere between Turkey and the United States.
Mr Gulen has denied any role in the coup and dismisses the Turkish allegations that he heads a terrorist organization.
The grand jury in Virginia has issued subpoenas to some of Mr Flynn’s business associates involved in the work for Inovo, two people familiar with the probe say.
The subpoena seen by Reuters seeks bank records, documents and communications related to Mr Flynn, his company Flynn Intel Group, Mr Alptekin and Inovo.
Mr Flynn's lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not respond to questions about his client's work for Inovo or Mr Mueller's investigation.
A spokesman for Mr Mueller declined to comment.
Mr Alptekin declined to comment when asked about the investigation into Mr Flynn and whether he or anyone he knows has been subpoenaed.
Mr Mueller’s move to take over the Virginia grand jury’s criminal investigation highlights his broad powers as special counsel.
Deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, on 17 May to oversee an investigation into any links or collusion between Russia and individuals associated with the Trump campaign.
Mr Rosenstein also gave him authority to pursue any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.
