The decision in the Washington Court / McGonigal admits guilt for the Albanian file, risks up to 5 years in prison

 

Former FBI official Charles McGonigal pleaded guilty at a hearing Friday afternoon to charges related to the fact that he received and concealed $225,000 from a former Albanian intelligence officer who, according to court records, became a source in an FBI investigation.

The guilty plea to the Washington court is a change from his not guilty plea at the start of the trial.

According to the announcement released by the State Department, McGonigal has pleaded guilty and faces up to 5 years in prison.   

Full Notice:

Charles F. McGonigal, 55, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent in charge of the New York Field Office, pleaded guilty today to concealing material facts about his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 In cash from an individual who had business interests in Europe, while McGonigal was overseeing counterintelligence efforts.

Lutha was accepted by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who set sentencing for February 16, 2024.

 The request was announced by US Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Department of Justice's Homeland Security Division, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, Donald Alway, and Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Washington. Field Office David Sundberg.

According to documents filed in court, from August 2017 and continuing until his retirement from the FBI in September 2018, McGonigal concealed from the FBI the nature of his relationship with a former foreign security officer and a businessman who had ongoing interests business in foreign countries. and before foreign governments.

Specifically, McGonigal received at least $225,000 in cash from Individual A and traveled abroad with the individual and met with foreign nationals. The individual later served as an FBI source in a criminal investigation involving foreign political lobbying over which McGonigal had official oversight responsibility.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum statutory penalty for federal offenses has been prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The court will determine the actual sentence based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.

This case is being investigated by the FBI offices in Los Angeles and Washington.