Two Associates of Michael Flynn Charged With Covertly Lobbying for Turkey

Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin, chairman of the Turkey-U.S. Business Council, delivers opening remarks during the 36th Annual Conference on U.S. Turkey Relations at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, on May 22, 2017. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors charged two business associates of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn on Dec. 17 with conspiring to lobby U.S. officials on behalf of Turkey and lying to cover up the alleged crime.

In an indictment, unsealed in the federal court, the U.S. government accuses Bijan Rafiekian and Kamil Ekim Alptekin of conspiring to influence U.S. officials and the public on behalf of the Turkish government.