Russian agent pleads guilty to conspiracy
Deal with prosecutors could give insight into Russian meddling in American politics
Maria Butina’s deal with prosecutors could give insight into Russian meddling in American politics |
Awoman accused of acting as a Russian agent to infiltrate a powerful gun lobby group and influence US policy toward Moscow pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy in federal court yesterday in a deal with prosecutors that could give them insight into Russian meddling in American politics.
Maria Butina, a Russian former graduate student at American University in Washington who publicly advocated for gun rights, entered the plea at a court hearing in Washington before District Judge Tanya Chutkan. She also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Butina was charged in July with acting as an agent of Russia’s government and conspiracy to take actions on behalf of Moscow. She had earlier pleaded not guilty before changing her plea during yesterday’s hearing.