Former FBI Official Pleads Guilty to Illegally Assisting Russian Oligarch and Violating U.S. Sanction

 

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Charles McGonigal Admits to Conspiring with Russian Oligarch

Former high-ranking FBI official Charles McGonigal pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions and laundering money, revealing his involvement in secretly working on behalf of a Russian oligarch he had been tasked with investigating. McGonigal, the former chief of counterintelligence in the FBI’s New York City office, entered the plea as part of a superseding document used to streamline plea agreements. He could face up to five years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 14.

Pending Charges and Russian Oligarch Connection

McGonigal, aged 55, still faces pending federal charges in Washington related to alleged bribery amounting to $225,000 during his tenure with the bureau on sensitive investigations. His affiliation with Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska occurred over several months in 2021, three years after his retirement from the FBI. Deripaska, who had been sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2018 for suspected illegal activities, had ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and was linked to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Scheme to Evade Sanctions

McGonigal acknowledged that his actions benefited Deripaska and violated U.S. sanctions. He confessed that he knowingly received money originating from Cyprus, funneled through local shell companies. His participation was part of a scheme to aid Deripaska's removal from the U.S. sanctions list, which restricted his business dealings with U.S. entities.

Regret and Responsibility

In a statement to U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden, McGonigal expressed remorse for his actions and took full responsibility. He stated, "I appear before you in this court to take full responsibility as my actions never intended to hurt the United States, the FBI and my family and friends."

Repercussions and Ongoing Investigation

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Dell revealed that McGonigal was in discussions to locate hidden assets belonging to a Deripaska rival, with an exchange offer of up to $3 million. McGonigal's arrest in January stemmed from allegations that he lobbied to remove Deripaska from the U.S. sanctions list. The charges are part of an ongoing investigation into McGonigal's activities, with additional charges pending against Sergey Shestakov, accused of facilitating McGonigal's assignments from Deripaska.

Prominent Russian Figure Under Scrutiny

Deripaska's connection to Putin and his involvement in Russian affairs of international significance have brought heightened attention to this case. The U.S. government's strong stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine further amplifies the significance of McGonigal's guilty plea and the ongoing investigation.