Retired Gen. Mike Flynn, who previously served as the national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, has reportedly converted his political fame into a lucrative family business.
What Happened: Post his tenure with the Trump administration, Flynn assumed control of a 75-year-old nonprofit group, America’s Future Inc. Contrary to former chairmen who volunteered their services, Flynn drew a salary of $40,000 for two hours of work each week in 2021, which escalated to $60,000 the subsequent year, according to a report by The New York Times on Sunday.
The nonprofit also compensated five of Flynn’s kin, with the organization disbursing $518,000, or 29% of its budget, to the Flynn family by the conclusion of its second year.
"For two hours a week, someone's getting $60,000?" said Kelly Mathews, chief operating officer of the New York Council of Nonprofits, who advises charities. "At a time when you're about to hit the wall financially, what is the rationale? They look to me like they're not very sustainable over time, without a significant influx of cash."
The Flynn family has reportedly earned at least $2.2 million in recent years, with over half of that sum going directly to Flynn.
"General Flynn's dedication to the cause of American freedom is steadfast and resolute, especially as it relates to the freedom of children," a lawyer for Mr. Flynn, Jesse Binnall, said in a statement, adding that the Flynn family's "strength, unity and dedication to America should be celebrated, not attacked."
Why It Matters: Despite the organization’s financial deficit and dwindling reserves, Flynn’s salary saw an increase and the sum paid to the Flynn family tripled. The investigation also brought up concerns regarding whether America’s Future had accurately disclosed its payments to Flynn’s relatives.
While several of Trump’s allies have cashed in on their political fame, few have done so at the scale of Flynn. Trump has even hinted at reinstating Flynn into his administration if he secures the White House in the upcoming November elections, according to the report.
Earlier, in October, Flynn had criticized former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley over her approach to foreign affairs, particularly regarding Ukraine. This incident had already brought Flynn’s political notoriety and far-right leanings into the spotlight.
Photo courtesy: Flickr
This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote
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