&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Ex-Trump NSA John Bolton, turned outspoken critic, pleads guilty to mishandling classified documents")
Former US national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of illegally retaining classified documents, admitting the offence before a federal court after initially denying the charges.
Asked by federal judge Theodore Chuang if he was guilty, the 77-year-old veteran diplomat replied: "I am, Your Honour, and I'm sorry for it."
Under a plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Bolton faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. He must also pay a $2.25 million fine and forfeit his federal pension.
Bolton had originally been indicted on 18 counts linked to the improper handling of classified material. On Friday, he admitted to a single charge involving the illegal retention of classified information. The documents included diary entries containing national defence information, with some classified at the top secret level.
According to prosecutors, Bolton shared more than 1,000 pages of sensitive material with two individuals who did not have security clearance or authorisation to access it. The documents included notes from intelligence briefings and meetings with senior US officials and foreign leaders. The material was allegedly intended for possible use in his memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which was highly critical of the Trump administration. The two individuals have not been identified, but they are believed to be his wife and daughter.
Authorities also said Bolton's personal email account was hacked by an Iranian-linked actor after he left office in September 2019. Although he reported the cyberattack to law enforcement, the Department of Justice said he failed to disclose that the account contained national defence information.
Trending Stories
)
Earth-Theia collision created the moon in just 5 hours, study shows
)
Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations
)
Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador
)
Man pushes Russian humanoid robot. Watch what happens next
)
Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes emergency landing after engine failure
)
Chaos in Ukraine's Kyiv: Zelensky calls shootout between spy services 'absolutely shameful'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How the Su-30MKI flies up to 8,000 kilometres using mid-air refueling
)
Trump says he’s ‘happy’ Harry and Meghan left US , calls them disrespectful
)
Harry Potter and the Philosophers' Stone: New trailer reveals fresh look at Hogwarts, sorting ceremony and iconic moments to life
)
Pakistan faces growing hunger crisis amid rising food insecurity
)
EU bans Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic violation rules
)
Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels
)
Houthis target Yemen with ballistic missiles, Yemeni army downs several drones
)
The Odyssey star Elliot Page opens up about struggling to land his next acting role after starring in Christopher Nolan film
)
No selfies with God, no reels inside: Tamil Nadu CM bans smartphones in temples | Gravitas
)
Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down Pak fighter jet retires, takes up private job
)
Report: Egypt eyes new Rafale F4 deal amid air force modernisation push
)
Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'
)
High Xylitol levels in blood linked to cardiovascular risk
)
WION Exclusive: Hasina says she reads father’s unfinished memoir while planning Dhaka return
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI uses a giant air brake on its back instead of its wings
)
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa
)
Beginning of the end? More glacial lake outbursts threaten millions in India, Nepal and China
)
India's data centre boom: AI boom fuels $31.6 trillion data race
)
J&K medical interns continue fourth-day protest, demand stipend hike to ₹30,000
)
Pakistanis are eating less. What they are eating instead is even more alarming
)
Nepal floods: 1,204 dead, 4,216 missing as tearful relatives pray for the missing
)
ISRO EOS-05 launch: GSLV to lift heaviest payload in its 25-year flight history
)
EU and NATO step up pressure on Russia after Germany ‘escalation incidents’
)
Husband uses secret camera to record wife’s affair, wins divorce case, ends up in jail for spying
)
At least 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting, suspect also dead
)
Manipur violence: 25 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi a day after 10 homes were burnt along Imphal-Tamenglong road
)
US Mint releases $1 coins featuring Donald Trump, priced up to $154.50
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the glass canopy on the Su-30MKI has a distinct golden tint
"He reported that hack to law enforcement but did not tell the agents or anyone else in the US government that the account contained national defence information," the Department of Justice said.
Sentencing set for October
Sentencing has been scheduled for October 28.
Bolton served as Donald Trump's national security adviser during the president's first term before becoming one of his most vocal critics. He has frequently described Trump as "unfit to be president" and has continued to criticise him through television appearances and published writings.
Trump has repeatedly attacked his former aide and withdrew his security detail shortly after returning to the White House in January last year. The Trump Justice Department has also pursued criminal cases against other prominent critics of the president, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey.
