Former Clinton lawyer acquitted in 1st defeat for Trump-era special counsel

The blow to special counsel John Durham's investigation was delivered on Tuesday when attorney Michael Sussmann was acquitted of lying to the FBI.

The jury in Washington DC deliberated for six hours. The origins of the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation are being investigated by Durham. Legal observers have observed that the evidence against Sussmann was weak, despite the fact that he was accused of lying to the FBI.

—Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) May 27, 2022

Durham said in a statement that he was disappointed with the verdict, but that he respected the jury's decision and thanked them for their service.

I want to thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their hard work in seeking the truth and justice in this case, Durham said.

Trump and his allies have tried to make up a story about Trump being surveilled and a link to Russian contacts being faked. Legal experts called the evidence against Sussmann thin, with one saying it would be difficult for prosecutors to prove their case.