Trump-era special counsel faces first real test as Washington attorney goes on trial

In this April 25, 2006, file photo, John Durham speaks to reporters on the steps of U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn. Durham, Connecticut's U.S. attorney, is leading the investigation into the origins of the Russia probe. He is no stranger to high-profile, highly scrutinized investigations. (Bob Child / AP)

A Washington attorney with ties to the Democratic party goes on trial Monday for allegedly lying to the FBI weeks ahead of the 2016 election, in the first case from Trump-era special counsel John Durham to be heard by a jury.

Michael Sussmann faces a single count of making false statements to the FBI in a September 2016 meeting with the bureau's general counsel about potential ties between a Kremlin-tied bank and a computer server at the Trump Organization.