According to leaked information, first to CNN then again to Reuters, former National Security Advisor John Bolton will plead guilty to one count of retaining classified documents in a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice.
The deal reportedly includes a $2.5 million fine, and a sentencing recommendation of zero to five years to a judge in the case.
WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) – John Bolton, a prominent critic of U.S. President Donald Trump who once served as his national security adviser, plans to plead guilty to mishandling classified documents and will pay a $2.25 million fine as part of a deal with federal prosecutors, three sources said on Thursday.
Bolton will plead guilty to one count of retaining classified information based on diary entries detailing his work in Trump’s first term at a court hearing on June 26, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe an agreement that had not yet been made public. The deal recommends a sentencing range of no prison time up to five years behind bars, two sources said. A federal judge will determine the final sentence.
Bolton is accused of sharing sensitive information with two of his relatives for possible use in a book he was writing, including notes on intelligence briefings and meetings with senior government officials and foreign leaders. He pleaded not guilty to 18 criminal charges, which included both transmission and retention of national defense information, last year.
[…] Two sources familiar with the plea agreement, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deal alleges no wrongdoing with regard to Bolton’s book, but that Bolton was acknowledging that he made a mistake. (read more)
If accurate, I wonder what the source of his ability to pay $2.5 million would be.
‘If accurate, I wonder what the source of his ability to pay $2.5 million would be.’
Probably the puppetmasters arranging this episode of “Distraction Theater, The Series.”
Like all the other figures dancing on the strings, they “made him an offer he couldn’t refuse” (the stick), but as usual they also gave him something for cooperating (the carrot).
They control many figures, all the way to the top.
(cough…Trump… cough)
He will get tax dollars, paid TV appearances, book deals, etc.
I’m sure he’s made quite a bit of dough as a “Consultant” for whoever was willing to pay his price–he’s too old to be doing hard time even if it’s in Club Fed.
How John Bolton can afford to pay the $2.5 million fine: “Former United States National Security Advisor John Bolton has an estimated net worth of approximately $6 million. [1]
His wealth primarily comes from his long career in government service, legal work, corporate consulting, and media appearances. [1, 2]
Key Wealth Drivers:
I wonder which of those two numbers will end up being the case.