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Federal Judge Delays Michael Flynn Sentencing In Case Of Lying To Feds

The judge ordered both sides to file status reports by March 13. He said he has outstanding questions, including how the Russia investigation was impeded and the impact of Flynn's lies on the inquiry.

Updated at 3:21 p.m. ET

A federal judge delayed sentencing former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his talks with Russia's ambassador.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said he has significant outstanding questions about the case, including how the government's Russia investigation was impeded and the material impact of Flynn's lies on the special counsel's inquiry.

Flynn had spent more than a year giving what prosecutors called all the cooperation they wanted, including in 62 hours of meetings and the production of "sweeping categories" of documents and electronic devices.

In light of that accommodation, the Justice Department had told the judge ahead of Tuesday's hearing that it would be all right if Flynn received no prison time.

Flynn, in his filing, also asked for leniency.

But the judge was less certain about the extent of Flynn's assistance — and the seriousness of the offense.

In a remarkable series of

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