Maria Butina, an alleged Russian spy, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring with a Russian government official against the U. S. by attempting to infiltrate conservative…
Maria Butina, an alleged Russian spy, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring with a Russian government official against the U. S. by attempting to infiltrate conservative political groups, including the National Rifle Association.
Butina, 30, admitted in federal court to operating in the U. S. “under the direction” of a Russian government official who is widely believed to be Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of Russia’s central bank.
Butina admitted in a plea agreement with prosecutors that she “sought to establish unofficial lines of communication with Americans having power and influence over U. S. politics.”
She also acknowledged in the plea deal that she “agreed and conspired, with a Russian government official (‘Russian Official’) and at least one other person… to act in the United States under the direction of Russian Official without prior notification to the Attorney General.”
The other person is believed to be Paul Erickson, Butina’s boyfriend and a longtime GOP operative.
