Crime

Former Obama White House Lawyer Indicted For Lying To Investigators

The charges stem from an investigation that started with special counsel Robert Mueller.

Former Obama White House Lawyer Indicted For Lying To Investigators
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A lawyer with ties to the Clinton and Obama administrations was indicted Thursday — thanks, in part, to Robert Mueller's investigation. 

The lawyer is Greg Craig, and he was indicted for allegedly lying to investigators and willfully falsifying material facts.

The issue is tied to a report Craig's law firm wrote in 2012 for the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice. The report was about the prosecution and trial of a former Ukrainian prime minister, and the country wanted to use it as part of an influence campaign. 

Craig talked to the media about the report, and that's where he allegedly got himself in trouble. The DOJ says he proactively reached out to several outlets to talk about the report, which was something the Ukrainian government wanted. The New York Times reports Craig said at the time he only talked to the media after they reached out to him. And who reached out to whom matters, in terms of foreign lobbying.

Craig's former law firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, has already reached a settlement with the DOJ on the foreign lobby issue. The firm retroactively registered as a foreign agent and paid a $4.6 million fine. If convicted, Craig faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and $260,000 in fines.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN