Attorney Scott MacGriff Comments on the Logan Act
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In the article “Did Flynn violate the Logan Act?” published by Talk Media News, Dickinson Wright Attorney Scott MacGriff comments on whether or not National Security Advisor Michael Flynn violated the Logan Act.
The media has reported that Flynn had spoken with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in late December regarding lifting economic sanctions that were imposed on Russia by the U.S. and the E.U. following Moscow’s 2014 annexation of the Crimea from neighboring Ukraine.
The Logan Act prohibits unauthorized individuals from negotiating with foreign governments and was adopted by Congress in 1799 following former Pennsylvania legislator Robert Logan’s unauthorized discussions with the French government.
“If the reports are accurate, there may have been a technical violation of the statute – however, keep in mind that in the more than 200 years since its enactment, there has never been a prosecution for violation of the Logan Act,” Mr. MacGriff told Talk Media News.
The media has reported that Flynn had spoken with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in late December regarding lifting economic sanctions that were imposed on Russia by the U.S. and the E.U. following Moscow’s 2014 annexation of the Crimea from neighboring Ukraine.
The Logan Act prohibits unauthorized individuals from negotiating with foreign governments and was adopted by Congress in 1799 following former Pennsylvania legislator Robert Logan’s unauthorized discussions with the French government.
“If the reports are accurate, there may have been a technical violation of the statute – however, keep in mind that in the more than 200 years since its enactment, there has never been a prosecution for violation of the Logan Act,” Mr. MacGriff told Talk Media News.
