Ex-Trump lawyer Dowd reportedly spoke about possible pardons for Manafort and Flynn
John Dowd.
John Dowd, a lawyer for President Donald Trump who resigned last week, reportedly spoke about the possibility of pardons with lawyers for Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn before their indictments.
The New York Times has a a story based on three people who had knowledge of the discussions. Flynn was Trump’s former national security adviser, and Manafort was Trump’s former campaign chairman.
The pardon discussions raise questions about whether Dowd was offering the pardons to influence the former aides’ decisions to plead guilty and cooperate, according to the article.
It’s unknown whether Dowd discussed pardons with Trump before raising the idea with the defense lawyers, according to the article. However, some current and former administration officials have reportedly told the special counsel’s office about their pardon discussions with the president, the article says.
Dowd denied discussing pardons with the defense lawyers. “There were no discussions. Period,” Dowd said. “As far as I know, no discussions.”
Dowd reportedly discussed pardons with Flynn’s lawyer, Robert Kelner, while a grand jury was hearing evidence. Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI on Dec. 1 and agreed to cooperate with the special counsel’s office.
Dowd reportedly spoke with Manafort’s then-lawyer, Reginald Brown, before Manafort’s October indictment on money laundering and conspiracy charges. Manafort has told others he isn’t interested in a pardon because he isn’t guilty. He is accused in connection with his work for a former Ukrainian president.
