Former Top FBI Official May Change Plea in Sanctions Evasion Case
McGonigal Accused of Ties To Deripaska
Overt Operator
August 08, 2023
Charles McGonigal, a former top FBI counterintelligence official, is considering changing his plea in response to criminal charges of evading U.S. sanctions and money laundering. The allegations tie him to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch who has been under U.S. sanctions.
Court records revealed on Monday that McGonigal, who previously pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rearden in Manhattan for a change of plea hearing on August 15.
During his time at the FBI, McGonigal served as a leading counterintelligence figure in New York, playing a significant role in the Russia probe of former President Donald Trump.
Representatives for McGonigal's legal team did not respond immediately to requests for comments on this development. Likewise, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan declined to make any statements.
The possibility of a change in McGonigal's plea emerged during a status conference last week when his lawyer, Seth DuCharme, hinted that there was a "decent chance the case is going to be resolved."
Prosecutors earlier this year accused McGonigal, who retired in 2018, of receiving concealed payments from Deripaska. The allegations state that McGonigal investigated a rival oligarch on Deripaska's behalf and attempted to have U.S. sanctions on Deripaska lifted in 2019.
These charges coincide with an increased effort by U.S. prosecutors to enforce sanctions on Russian officials following the invasion of Ukraine. They also shed light on the alleged enablers and those profiting from connections with sanctioned individuals.
Deripaska, who founded Russian aluminum company Rusal, was among the officials and oligarchs blacklisted by the U.S. in 2018. The sanctions were in response to Russia's purported interference in the 2016 U.S. election, allegations Deripaska and the Kremlin have consistently denied.
Former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation also probed Deripaska's relationship with Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chair. Mueller's report cited instances where Manafort allegedly shared internal polling data with Deripaska.
Prosecutors maintain that McGonigal received payments from Deripaska, totaling over $117,000, while working as an investigator for a law firm between August and November 2021. According to a report by the Washington Times, McGonigal attempted to hide Deripaska's identity by referring to him as "the big guy."
The case against McGonigal is part of a broader effort by U.S. authorities to clamp down on individuals and entities involved in circumventing sanctions. As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, the prosecution of McGonigal signals a firm stance by the U.S. government in maintaining the integrity of its sanctions regime.
A change in McGonigal's plea could be a turning point in the case, possibly revealing more about the intricate web of connections between U.S. officials and Russian oligarchs. It may also pave the way for further legal action against other individuals involved in sanctions evasion, bringing more transparency to an opaque area of international relations.