The lawyer for former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn on Friday labeled as "outrageous" and "false" media reports suggesting his client may have been involved in an alleged plan to seize a Muslim cleric and deliver him to Turkey in exchange for millions of dollars.

The rare statement from lawyer Robert Kelner came after the Wall Street Journal reported Friday that special counsel Robert Mueller was investigating an alleged proposal under which Flynn and his son would receive up to $15 million for seizing Fethullah Gulen from his U.S. home and delivering him to the Turkish government.

The Journal cited people familiar with the investigation.