The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has agreed to a settlement of roughly $1.2 million with President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, resolving a lawsuit in which he alleged malicious prosecution tied to the Russia investigation.
Court documents filed Wednesday, March 25, do not disclose the amount, but a person familiar with the matter confirmed the figure to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Flynn had sued the Justice Department in 2023 seeking at least $50 million in damages, arguing that he had been “improperly and politically” targeted because of his role in President Trump’s 2016 campaign and subsequent administration.
The settlement brings an end to a years-long legal battle stemming from the broader Russia probe led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
“Pursuant to Local Rule 3.09, the parties hereby inform the Court that they have settled this action. Upon Plaintiff’s confirmation of receipt of settlement funds, the parties will file a joint stipulation of dismissal of this action, with prejudice, each party to bear its own costs and fees, and without the Court retaining jurisdiction over this matter,” the court notice with no financial amount included reads.
DOJ calls it ‘redressing a historic injustice’
In a statement, the Justice Department described the agreement as “an important step in redressing” what it characterized as a “historic injustice.”
“This Department of Justice will continue to pursue accountability at all levels for this wrongdoing. Such weaponization of the federal government must never be allowed to happen again,” a spokesperson said as cited by the Associated Press.
The resolution marks a shift from the department’s earlier stance under the previous administration, when it had sought to have Flynn’s lawsuit dismissed.
The Kenya Times has reached out to the United States Department of Justice for comment on the settlement and its funding but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, was among the earliest and most prominent figures charged in the Russia investigation.
He pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about conversations with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding U.S. sanctions.
During those exchanges, Flynn had urged Russia to respond in an “even-keeled” manner, while publicly denying that sanctions were discussed — a contradiction that raised concerns within U.S. intelligence and law enforcement.
He was forced out of his role in February 2017 after it emerged that officials in the Obama administration had warned the White House, he could be vulnerable to blackmail.
Flynn later moved to withdraw his guilty plea, accusing prosecutors of acting in “bad faith” and breaching their agreement.
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In 2020, the Justice Department itself sought to dismiss the case, arguing that the FBI interview that formed the basis of the charge lacked proper investigative grounds and that Flynn’s statements were not material. The legal battle ultimately ended when Trump pardoned Flynn in November 2020.
Flynn claims lasting damage
In his lawsuit, Flynn maintained his innocence and said he had been falsely portrayed as disloyal to the United States.
“He was falsely branded as a traitor to his country… was maliciously prosecuted and spent substantial monies in his own defense,” the filing states.
In a statement following the settlement, Flynn said “no amount of money” could undo the damage to his reputation and finances, describing the case as a “brazen attempt to weaponize federal law enforcement.”
Flynn was one of several Trump associates charged during the Mueller investigation, which concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election but did not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
