Maria Butina: Russian activist pleads guilty in US https://t.co/w2frgySL8Z
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 13, 2018
More posts to follow; “status conference set for Feb. 12”. Nice comprehensive article at Buzzfeed:
… A federal grand jury indicted Butina in mid-July on two counts: acting as an agent of a foreign government without alerting the US government, and conspiring to do so. Prosecutors claimed Butina received guidance from a Russian official who tasked her with influencing US foreign policy toward the country; her lawyers from the start denied she was acting as an agent, saying she was just a graduate student. The first charge carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, while the conspiracy charge had a maximum sentence of five years.
Prosecutors agreed to drop the more serious count when she’s sentenced. The lawyers estimated that she faced a sentencing range of between zero to six months. As part of the deal, prosecutors could ask the judge for a low sentence, or even no prison time, if they’re satisfied with her cooperation. Assistant US Attorney Erik Kenerson did not offer any details about what sort of information they wanted from Butina. Butina acknowledged that as a Russian national, she could face deportation once she finishes serving any prison time she may face…
You think 2018 is wild we're gonna kick off 2019 with 'Former Spokesman for John Wayne Bobbitt is Charged as Russian Spy.' https://t.co/dKPw41NGlG
— Zeddy (@Zeddary) December 13, 2018
She sought to advance the Russian cause by meeting with political power brokers on many occasions in the DC area – at "friendship dinners", NRA conferences, and the National Prayer breakfast (where she met an unnamed 2016 Presidential candidate).
— Charlie Gile (@CharlieGileNBC) December 13, 2018
Scott Walker. They're talking about Scott Walker. pic.twitter.com/8W44a8kZRA
— Zeddy (@Zeddary) December 13, 2018
In Nov. 2016, Butina was wondering whether to establish a relationship with the President-elect's advisors. The Russian official advising her told her to "Go for it."
— Charlie Gile (@CharlieGileNBC) December 13, 2018
Russiagate / NRA Open Thread: The Red Sparrow Gun Pin-Up PleadsPost + Comments (174)