Former U.S. National Security Advisor John R. Bolton II pleaded guilty today in federal court to retaining national defense information, resolving an 18-count indictment related to his handling of classified materials.
Bolton, 77, of Bethesda, Maryland, admitted to incorporating highly sensitive classified information, including TOP SECRET and Sensitive Compartmented Information, into personal diary entries during his tenure from April 2018 to September 2019. These entries detailed foreign adversaries’ military plans, covert U.S. government actions, and intelligence on foreign leaders.
He then transmitted these documents to two family members who lacked authorization and stored copies at his unapproved Bethesda home. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes said, "Mr. Bolton knew the damage mishandling confidential material could cause to national security, and yet he still committed this misconduct and put American lives at risk."
After leaving office, Bolton's personal email, containing this sensitive data, was hacked by a cyber actor believed to be associated with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division stated, "When guardians of our nation’s secrets play fast and loose with classified information, it opens the door for foreign adversaries to get their hands on it, which is exactly what happened."
Bolton faces a maximum penalty of 60 months in prison and a $2.25 million fine. He is also prohibited from collecting federal retirement pay. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.