John Bolton Agrees Plea Deal in Classified Documents Case, Will Pay $2.25 Million Fine

John Bolton, once Donald Trump's National Security Advisor and now a prominent critic, has reached a plea agreement in his federal classified documents case. Sources close to the matter indicate Bolton will plead guilty to a single count of retaining national defence information and incur a fine of $2.25 million.

Bolton's re-arraignment hearing is scheduled for 26 June, where he is expected to formally enter his plea. This agreement, which recommends no custodial sentence, must be approved by a judge. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 60 months' imprisonment.

The US Department of Justice charged Bolton last October with 18 counts, alleging he endangered the public by mishandling classified materials, some designated top secret, during and after his 2018-2019 tenure. The indictment specified that some of these documents, described as 'diary-like' entries from his time in office, contained top-secret national defence information. Bolton was accused of transmitting some of these materials to relatives while writing his book. The specific charge he will plead guilty to relates to these 'diary-like' entries.

This prosecution follows other high-profile cases against figures critical of Trump. However, legal experts suggest Bolton's case is distinct due to the evidence gathered by prosecutors. One individual familiar with the plea deal stated Bolton 'has admitted to what he has done' and understood that continuing to contest the case could lead to 'other classified information' being released, which he wished to avoid to 'damage' the United States. They added, 'Unlike others, he's stood up and said he takes responsibility.'