DOJ reveals discovery of new Strzok notes in Flynn case

In the latest twist, the Justice Department disclosed to a federal court Tuesday it has located a new page of notes from Peter Strzok, the former lead FBI agent in the Russia collusion investigation, that are exculpatory to former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin informed U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan of the discovery in a midday court filing, revealing the single page of notes were believed to have been taken by Strzok during the critical juncture of early January 2017 when FBI agents recommended shutting down their investigation of Flynn only to be overruled by FBI superiors.

"This page of notes was taken by former Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok. While the page itself is undated; we believe that the notes were taken in early January 2017, possibly between January 3 and January 5," Sherwin wrote in the motion. The prosecutor said it was possible more documents may be produced to the court.

The page of notes were not made public with the filing because they are currently subject to a protective order.

A source directly familiar with the discovery of the document told Just the News they include one paragraph of notes believed to be taken around Jan. 4, 2017, the date Strzok relayed a request from FBI leadership to the lead agent in the Flynn case asking him not to shut down the investigation as had been planned. The notes are "highly exculpatory," the source said, declining to describe them more fully because they are under seal.

Records belatedly made public earlier this year show the FBI agent running the Flynn case had concluded there was "no derogatory" information found during a five-month inquiry against Flynn suggesting that the Trump adviser had engaged in a criminal act or counterintelligence threat. The agent recommended shutting down the probe.

But Strzok relayed a message from the "7th floor" leadership of the FBI to hold off closing the case, leading to a controversial decision to seek an interview with Flynn that eventually led to criminal charges and a plea deal. Flynn has asked that his conviction be reversed and DOJ has sided with him. Sullivan is considering the request.