Senate committee subpoenas Flynn for Russia documents

May 11 (UPI) -- The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence issued a subpoena for former national security adviser Michael Flynn's documents related to Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

"The subpoena requests documents relevant to the committee's investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 election," Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said in a statement. "The committee first requested these documents in an April 28, 2017, letter to Lieutenant Gen. Flynn, but he declined, through counsel, to cooperate with the committee's request."

The subpoena comes during a flurry of activity concerning the Russia investigations. On Tuesday, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the federal investigation into Russia's meddling and connections with Trump's associates. Some high-ranking Democrats accused Trump of engaging in a coverup.

Trump said he fired Comey following "clear" advice from Sessions and Rosenstein, who, among other reasons, cited Comey's handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails as the reason he should be dismissed.

Also on Tuesday, federal prosecutors issued subpoenas to associates of Flynn as part of the FBI's investigation.

It was also revealed this week that former President Barack Obama warned Trump against hiring Flynn during their 90-minute conversation in the Oval Office less than 48 hours after Trump was declared victorious in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

Flynn was Trump's first appointment as national security adviser. He was forced to resign after 24 days when information surfaced that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his meetings with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Flynn also previously served as the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency until he was forced out in 2014 due to internal disagreements.

Flynn's involvement with Russia also extended to financial issues. On March 31, Flynn filed revised financial disclosure forms that included payments from three Russian companies with ties to the Kremlin prior to joining Trump's campaign.

Flynn was paid $45,000 as a guest speaker by RT, the Russian state-sponsored news outlet regarded by the U.S. government as a propaganda instrument. He was also paid $22,500 by two companies with close ties to the Kremlin for speeches. The speeches occurred in December 2015, shortly before he formally became a foreign policy adviser to Trump.