Former national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to a single count of retaining classified information under a deal with the Justice Department that could allow him to avoid prison time, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.
Details of the Plea Agreement
The agreement would resolve a criminal case filed in October that charged Bolton with 18 counts of either retaining or sharing diary-like notes with family members that officials said contained classified information as he was preparing a memoir of his time in government.
Under the terms of the deal, Bolton would also face a $2.25 million fine, said the person, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a deal that had not been made public. Any prison sentence would be capped at five years, but the agreement allows for him to avoid time behind bars. The final punishment will ultimately be determined by a judge.
Legal Proceedings
A rearraignment, which typically signals a plea agreement, is scheduled for June 26. The Justice Department declined to comment on the matter.
Bolton served as national security adviser under former President Donald Trump and has been a prominent figure in foreign policy circles. The case has drawn significant attention due to the sensitive nature of the information involved.
