Former FBI official Charles McGonigal has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for collaborating with a Russian oligarch.
Charles McGonigal, who held the highest counterintelligence position at the FBI’s New York office, was given a prison sentence of over four years on Thursday. This punishment was for his involvement in receiving undisclosed payments from a Russian oligarch who is under sanctions and is a trusted associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
McGonigal
Admitted to committing a federal offense in New York.
In August, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to break the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He confessed to aiding Oleg Deripaska in gathering damaging information on a competing Russian billionaire and hiding the source of payments for his assistance.
Charles McGonigal has been accused of breaching the trust of his country by leveraging his high-ranking role at the FBI to advance his personal business interests. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that upon receiving his sentence, it was evident that McGonigal had compromised the nation’s security by offering services to Oleg Deripaska, a prominent Russian figure who is believed to operate as an agent for Vladimir Putin.
In September, the defendant in the Washington case admitted to deliberately hiding his interactions with foreign officials and accepting large sums of money from an ex-employee of Albania’s intelligence agency.
The prosecution accused him of deceiving the FBI by not accurately reporting his trips abroad and interactions with foreigners during his time working for the agency. His sentencing for this matter is set for February 16.
In a statement prior to his sentencing in New York, McGonigal expressed that he has endured significant suffering due to his actions.
“I deeply regret my actions and understand that I have damaged my reputation within the law enforcement and security community. I apologize for any harm I have caused,” he expressed.
Pamela McGonigal, the wife of McGonigal, expressed to the judge that her husband’s drive and determination caused him to lose sight of the consequences of his choices and behavior.
Caitlin Yilek
Source: cbsnews.com