A former special agent responsible for the FBI Counterintelligence Division in New York has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for engaging in money laundering activities associated with Oleg Deripaska, an individual acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ex-agent, Charles McGonigal of New York, pleaded guilty to his offenses in August. Court documents revealed that McGonigal violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and committed money laundering by offering services to Deripaska, who is a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
The Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Assistant Attorney General, Matthew G. Olsen, expressed his disappointment in McGonigal’s actions, stating, Charles McGonigal helped advance the interests of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, breaking his oath to safeguard our nation and uphold its laws. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for this betrayal and demonstrates this department’s commitment to deny designated individuals the means to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
According to investigators, even though McGonigal actively participated in investigations targeting Deripaska and other Russian oligarchs during his time as an FBI official, he simultaneously cultivated a relationship with one of Deripaska’s agents. His objective was to establish business partnerships with Deripaska following his retirement from the FBI.
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Former FBI Counterintelligence Agent Sentenced for Violations
A former special agent who formerly oversaw the FBI Counterintelligence Division in New York has received a 50-month prison sentence after being found guilty of partaking in money laundering activities related to Oleg Deripaska, a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Charles McGonigal, currently residing in New York, New York, pleaded guilty to the charges in August.
As disclosed by court documents and statements shared during legal proceedings, McGonigal violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and engaged in money laundering when he agreed to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch who had been subjected to sanctions. This breach occurred in 2021.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division emphasized the significance of holding accountable those who undermine national security and evade sanctions. He stated, Charles McGonigal helped advance the interests of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, breaking his oath to safeguard our nation and uphold its laws… Today’s sentence holds him accountable for this betrayal and demonstrates this department’s commitment to deny designated individuals the means to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
McGonigal, while serving as an FBI official, actively took part in investigations targeting Deripaska and other influential Russian oligarchs. As a Special Agent in Charge (SAC), he oversaw operations related to identifying and addressing violations of sanctions. Despite this, he simultaneously sought to establish a relationship with an agent representing Deripaska, with the aim of pursuing business opportunities with the oligarch following retirement from the FBI.
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