Depends on what, the special counsel has atleast one state's attorney general on their staff for exactly this reason. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morni

Depends on what, the special counsel has atleast one state's attorney general on their staff for exactly this reason. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/31/trump-and-manafort-get-big-reminder-that-pardon-power-does-not-extend-to-state-crimes/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/3... 5 years is a pretty short sentence and there were reports of Flynn's son being investigated for crimes as well. This plea deal is certainly just the smallest thing they could charge him with in exchange for his testimony and not hitting him or his family with much more serious charges.