Former national security adviser John Bolton has pleaded guilty to a single charge of illegal retention of classified information, admitting that he mishandled documents containing national defense information. Bolton, a former appointee of President Donald Trump and now a vocal critic, entered the plea on Friday, agreeing to pay a $2.25 million fine.
As part of the plea agreement, Bolton faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years. He has also agreed to debrief national security officials on the classified information he retained and to perform 100 hours of community service. The sentencing is scheduled for October 28.
During the court proceedings, Bolton acknowledged the accuracy of the allegations, which included sending diary entries containing sensitive national defense information to family members. "I did your honor," Bolton stated, later adding, "I was sorry for it."
Prosecutors noted that Bolton, by virtue of his former role, understood the protocols for handling classified information and the potential damage its mishandling could cause. "Nevertheless, as Mr Bolton just admitted, he put our national security at grave risk in violation of the law," said US Attorney Kelly Hayes.
Bolton's legal troubles stem partly from his 2020 memoir, "The Room Where It Happened," which offered a critical account of his tenure under Trump. The White House had attempted to block the book's publication, arguing it contained classified material. A judge ultimately allowed its release.
Following the book's publication, the Department of Justice initiated an investigation into whether Bolton had improperly disclosed classified information. The indictment detailed accusations that he transmitted classified materials to two relatives. A previous report also noted a security breach where a hacker accessed Bolton's account, where documents were stored, and sent a threat related to the leak of Hillary Clinton's emails.