Ex-FBI Counterintelligence Employee Admits Conspiring with Russian Sanctioned Oligarch

In a federal court in New York, 55-year-old Charles McGonigal, a former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official, confessed on Tuesday to "deep regret" over his actions in 2021, admitting to working for sanctioned Russian aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska, writes AP.

McGonigal pleaded guilty before the judge to conspiring to violate sanctions against Russia by agreeing to work for the Russian oligarch after his retirement. Deripaska has been under U.S. sanctions since 2018 due to his involvement in Russia's occupation of Ukrainian Crimea.

"I take full responsibility, as my actions were never meant to harm the United States, the FBI, my family, and friends," he stated.

Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division of the Department of Justice, Matthew G. Olsen, noted in a release, "McGonigal, by his own admission, betrayed his oath and actively concealed his unlawful actions at the direction of a sanctioned Russian oligarch."

The former FBI counterintelligence agent accepted over $17,000 from the oligarch to assist Deripaska in gathering compromising information about another Russian oligarch who was a business rival.

McGonigal also attempted to help Deripaska get removed from the sanctions list. He negotiated with co-conspirators of this plot to receive fees ranging from $650,000 to $3 million for uncovering electronic files revealing hidden assets of the rival oligarch amounting to $500 million.

The ex-FBI agent pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He could face up to five years in prison. Judge Jennifer H. Rearden set the sentencing date for December 14.

Separately, McGonigal, residing in New York, faces charges in a federal court in Washington, D.C., for allegedly concealing at least $225,000 in cash he purportedly received from a former Albanian intelligence officer during his tenure at the FBI.