Update (1925ET):
An 18-count indictment accused President Trump's former national security adviser-turned-adversary, John Bolton, of mishandling classified national defense information (NDI), including eight counts of transmission and ten counts of unlawful retention.
According to the indictment, Bolton used personal email and messaging accounts to transmit Top Secret intelligence about foreign adversaries, future attacks, and U.S. foreign-policy relations. He also kept classified files at his home, including sensitive intelligence about foreign leaders and U.S. intelligence sources.
The FBI Baltimore Field Office led the investigation, with oversight from the Justice Department's National Security Division. The indictment outlines two core allegations:
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Eight counts of transmission of NDI under the Espionage Act (18 U.S.C. §793(d)),
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and Ten counts of unlawful retention of NDI under §793(e).
Attorney General Pamela Bondi wrote in a statement, "There is one tier of justice for all Americans. Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law."
Justice Department Statements Regarding Indictment of Former National Security Advisor John Bolton https://t.co/lrNzDZqzvi @FBIBaltimore pic.twitter.com/yLcEqSjkLF
— FBI (@FBI)
Each count carries a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, meaning Bolton faces up to 180 years if convicted on all charges.
Here are some of the highlights of the indictment:
While John Bolton was trafficking top secret intel to his friends, Iran apparently hacked his email account, according to the 18-count federal indictment against him. pic.twitter.com/teVfK8KWts
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav)
From the John Bolton indictment -
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog)
Bolton's personal email - which contained classified info - was hacked by Iran.
Bolton notified the Gov't of the hack - but did not mention his possession of the classified info/docs. pic.twitter.com/sacZtRK6Kk
Lmfao this is allegedly an exchange John Bolton had with his friends while sending them classified information:
— Greg Price (@greg_price11)
"More stuff coming!!!... None of which we talk about!!!"
"Shhhh" pic.twitter.com/KRY1olXzWD
Read the full indictment:
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The US Justice Department has charged former National Security adviser John Bolton for his handling of classified documents, Bloomberg reports, citing a person familiar with the matter.
Bolton was indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland, according to the report.
The indictment came hours after several news outlets reported that the indictment was imminent.
Bolton's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said his client did nothing inappropriate with classified records - however part of the criminal investigation into Bolton has focused on what resembled diary entries of private notes he made for himself on an AOL email account - which may have contained classified information.
He allegedly shared highly classified information with his wife and daughter, CNN is also reporting.
The FBI executed a search warrant on Bolton's Maryland home and Washington, DC office over the summer - during which agents seized multiple documents labeled "secret," "confidential," and "classified" - including some which mentioned weapons of mass destruction, according to court records.
Bolton on leaking of classified information. Give him what he wants. https://t.co/Gf7jVPx9wk pic.twitter.com/fBwLi3vfyX
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald)
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