WASHINGTON, D.C. – A key individual in setting off the Trump-Russia investigation, Charles McGonigal, a former FBI counterintelligence chief, has been handed a slightly over four-year prison sentence for assisting a sanctioned Russian oligarch following his departure from the bureau in 2019.
In August, McGonigal, a seasoned 22-year veteran of the FBI’s New York field office, was found guilty of colluding with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire closely associated with President Vladimir Putin. The indictment claimed that during his tenure at the bureau, McGonigal acquired classified information regarding Deripaska’s classification as a Russian oligarch with ties to the Kremlin. McGonigal violated his legal obligation to inform the FBI about his dealings with foreign officials by maintaining communication and establishing business connections with Deripaska.
Judge Jennifer Rearden argued that McGonigal had “repeatedly flouted and manipulated the sanctions regimes crucial”to American security interests. Stressing the gravity of the situation, Rearden asserted, “The undeniable seriousness of this and the necessity to uphold the law necessitate a meaningful custodial sentence.”
During the hearing, McGonigal acknowledged a “deep sense of remorse and sorrow for my actions.” Expressing humility, he sought a second chance, recognizing the felony he committed and the shame he brought upon himself and the FBI.
Despite McGonigal’s plea for leniency, the prosecution pressed Judge Reardon to impose the maximum five-year sentence. Prosecutor Hagan Scotten argued that McGonigal’s actions were motivated by greed, not poverty, framing it as a betrayal of the rule of law.
As the former chief of counterintelligence in the FBI’s New York field office, McGonigal played a pivotal role in the early phases of the Trump-Russia investigation. He was among the first to be informed that George Papadopoulos, a former Trump campaign adviser, was aware of Russia’s possession of Hillary Clinton’s emails. McGonigal conveyed this information to the FBI in July 2016, significantly contributing to the initiation of the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. The subsequent inquiry, led by special counsel Robert Mueller, failed to produce adequate evidence to establish then-President Trump’s guilt and extended for 22 months, reportedly incurring over $30 million in costs. McGonigal is expected to surrender to authorities in late February to begin serving his prison term.
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And yet the REAL criminals walk free. Joe and his disfunctional family. Merrick Garland, Alehandro Myorkis, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Christopher Wrey, most of the Democrat Party. The MSM for aiding and abetting their criminal pals. There is NO justice in this administration.
Let us hope this loyal FBI agent gets his pension and is listed with the other great Special agents, Robert Müeller, Jim Comey, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Robert Cessario, Charles McGonigal, Jim Baker, Christopher Wray, Merrick Garland, Rob Rosenstein, Michael Horowitz, Tim Thibault and Andrew McCabe have ushered in the new level of competency, integrity, honesty, transparency and trust to the FBI. BTW, have they lost Hunter Biden’s laptop yet.
This article is incorrect in many respects. Maybe you want to check the court file regarding the sentence?
Please point out specifics or pound sand. Thanks.