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John Bolton, who once served as the national security adviser under the Trump administration, has consented to a plea deal with the Justice Department. This arrangement involves admitting guilt to one charge of retaining classified documents, which could potentially spare him from serving time in prison, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation on Thursday.
This agreement aims to conclude a criminal case initiated in October, where Bolton faced 18 charges related to either keeping or distributing notes akin to a diary, which were shared with family members. These notes were said to contain sensitive information and were compiled while Bolton was working on a memoir about his governmental tenure.
As part of the plea deal, Bolton is expected to pay a substantial penalty amounting to $2.25 million, as disclosed by the source, who requested anonymity since the deal has not been publicly announced. Although the maximum prison term could be five years, the agreement opens the possibility for Bolton to avoid incarceration. Ultimately, the final decision regarding any sentence will rest with a judge.
The deal would resolve a criminal case filed in October that charged Bolton with 18 counts of either retaining or sharing diary-like notes with family members that officials said contained classified information as he was preparing a memoir of his time in government.
Under the agreement, Bolton would also face a $2.25 million fine, said the person, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a deal that had not been made public. Any prison sentence would be capped at five years, but the agreement allows for him to avoid time behind bars, though the punishment will ultimately be up to a judge.
A rearraignment, which typically signals a plea agreement, is scheduled for June 26.
The Justice Department declined to comment.
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