Judge’s rebuke of Flynn upends sentencing, prolongs case
WASHINGTON — A federal judge who described himself as disgusted by Michael Flynn’s behaviour upended a straightforward sentencing hearing, postponing punishment for President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser and telling him in a stinging rebuke, “Arguably you sold your country out.”
Lawyers for Flynn requested the delay Tuesday after a tongue-lashing from U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan raised the prospect that Flynn could spend time behind bars for lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts.
Prosecutors hadn’t recommended prison, but the hearing that began with the defendant upbeat and smiling took an unexpected turn when the judge said his sentence would take into account not just Flynn’s extensive co-operation with investigators but also the lies the Trump administration official told from the grounds of the White House.
“I can’t make any guarantees, but I’m not hiding my disgust, my disdain for this criminal offence,” Sullivan said.