What we know about accused Russian spy
Maria Butina faces felony charges for allegedly infiltrating political groups
Russian national Maria Butina, sometimes spelled Mariia, is accused of working as a spy by infiltrating American political organizations, including the National Rifle Association.
Wednesday, a federal magistrate ordered Butina, 29, held without bond, pending trial, where she will face felony charges.
Prosecutors said Butina engaged in a years-long campaign as a covert agent for the Kremlin in an attempt to “advance the interests of her home country.”
“The defendant’s covert influence campaign involved substantial planning, international coordination and preparation,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing. “The plan for Butina also required, and she demonstrated, a willingness to use deceit in a visa application to move to the United States and bring the plan to fruition.” Butina pleaded not guilty. Citing FBI surveillance conducted during the past week, prosecutors said Butina had access to thousands of dollars and “an intention to move money out of the U.S.”
In their court filing Wednesday, prosecutors alleged Butina was in touch with Russian intelligence operatives and once offered sex to someone in exchange for a position with an unnamed special interest group.
‘Extreme flight risk’
Magistrate Deborah Robinson sided with federal prosecutors who argued that Butina represented an “extreme” risk of flight from the country.
Federal agents said that at the time of Butina’s arrest last weekend, her apartment was packed with boxes “consistent with a move.” Butina’s attorney, Robert Driscoll, said the packing boxes were in preparation for a move to South Dakota – not back to Russia – where Driscoll said she intended to live with her boyfriend.
Gun rights supporter
Butina founded a gun rights group named Right to Bear Arms. She is an activist with the NRA. She frequently posted about guns on social media and promoted the right to carry weapons in interviews.
Saul Anuzis, a former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, told The Washington Post she was “like a novelty” because running a gun rights group in Russia appeared radical.
A photo showing Gov. Scott Walker standing with Butina in 2015 at an NRA event was part of a brief interaction, Walker said Wednesday. At the time of the photo, Walker was preparing to launch his presidential bid.
“As we go to events, we meet people, they introduce themselves, often they ask for a picture,” Walker said. He said no formal meeting ever took place between the two.
She lived with a lobbyist
Butina lived with former political provocateur Paul Erickson from South Dakota. He was a business partner, and they lived in a home in Washington. Erickson virtually disappeared from the state’s political scene in recent years, though he has ties to prominent conservatives.