A former top-ranking FBI official who was involved in the “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation into President Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia has pled guilty to providing illegal services to a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Charles McGonigal, the former chief of counterintelligence at the New York field office, admitted to conspiring with Oleg Deripaska and laundering money from him.
Former high-ranking FBI official Charles McGonigal pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions and money laundering by secretly working on behalf of a Russian oligarch he had been tasked with investigating. https://t.co/BkluyuHfYs
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 15, 2023
The Department of Justice took swift action and released a statement condemning McGonigal’s actions.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “Charles McGonigal, by his own admission, betrayed his oath and actively concealed his illicit work at the bidding of a sanctioned Russian oligarch. Today’s plea shows the Department of Justice’s resolve to pursue and dismantle the illegal networks that Russian oligarchs use to try to escape the reach of our sanctions and evade our laws.”
After years of investigating “Russiagate,” it is clear that there were never any grounds for charges against President Trump himself – but at least with the charges against McGonigal, we have hope that those who attempted to undermine him will be held accountable for their actions.
Former FBI agent Charles McGonigal pleads guilty to working for Russian oligarch https://t.co/AD4n9tm5Y3 pic.twitter.com/hn2v5kasp1
— New York Post (@nypost) August 15, 2023
The former FBI agent’s involvement, in this case, goes beyond merely accepting payments from a hostile power; he also played an integral role in preparing what many have called a “clear double standard by the Department of Justice,” when he was part of a team that briefed Hillary Clinton’s lawyers on classified information during her failed presidential campaign in 2015.
This further emphasizes how important it is for our nation’s leaders and law enforcement personnel, such as FBI Agents, alike to uphold their oaths – especially when dealing with sensitive political issues such as this one.
It is critical that we do not let these types of violations go unchecked; doing so could set dangerous precedents which would put America’s democracy at risk going forward.
One of the highest-ranking FBI agents ever to face criminal charges pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his ties to a Russian billionaire. The FBI says Charles McGonigal "turned his back on his duty" to his country. @PierreTABC has details. https://t.co/f20FlTgyi5 pic.twitter.com/xc527zAjZH
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) August 16, 2023
The U.S Department of Justice has allowed justice to be served here, and hopefully, other countries around the world will follow suit when necessary steps are needed against those attempting to subvert democratic processes abroad or domestically here in America through interference or corruption schemes like this one perpetrated by Mr. McGonigal on behalf of Mr. Deripaska
