Flynn Did Not Disclose Some Payments from Russia in Initial Financial Disclosure

New documents released by the White House indicate that the ousted National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, Michael Flynn, failed to disclose details of several payments, including from the Russian state television, in his initial financial disclosure last February. According to documents published by the White House on April 1, which were signed by Flynn on March 31, several of his speeches for Russian legal entities, including his remarks on the Russian state television 'RT', were listed that had not been previously mentioned. The documents do not specify the amount Flynn received from these speeches and categorize them under 'more than five thousand dollars per year.' Flynn signed the initial disclosure on February 12, and there was no mention of three speeches given for Russian companies. Flynn's attorney stated that the initial disclosure included a 'collection' of payments from Flynn's speeches and was a draft that ultimately did not continue because his activities in the government ended. Elijah Cummings, a Democratic representative from Maryland, released documents on March 16 showing that Flynn received over $67,000 from Russian companies before the U.S. presidential election, including nearly $34,000 from 'RT.' Cummings stated that receiving money from the Russian state television is against U.S. laws that prohibit retired military officials from accepting gifts from foreign powers. Flynn had served in senior military positions, including as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Flynn resigned on February 25 of last year, 24 days after taking office as the National Security Advisor, following reports about his 'contacts' with the Russian ambassador and 'discussions regarding sanctions imposed' by the Obama administration against Moscow. In his resignation letter, he stated that during the transition period between the Trump administration and the previous one, he had multiple contacts with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the U.S., and provided 'incomplete' information to Vice President Mike Pence regarding the content of these contacts. Flynn's resignation came when it was announced that the President of the United States had lost confidence in his National Security Advisor. On March 30, it was reported that Flynn had told officials investigating potential 'communications' between Trump campaign members and Russia that he was willing to answer questions in exchange for immunity. President Trump emphasized that his former advisor has the right to request immunity and accused the media and Democratic Party members of 'hysteria.'