Former National Security Adviser John Bolton's Sentencing Delayed
7 hours ago
Former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday morning after pleading guilty to charges involving the retention and transmission of national defense information.
Bolton, 77, admitted to improperly handling sensitive government information obtained during his time serving in President Donald Trump's first administration.
According to court documents, Bolton incorporated classified information related to his official duties into personal diary entries.
Prosecutors said those entries contained national defense information that Bolton was not authorized to disclose.
The documents were subsequently transmitted to two relatives who did not have the necessary security clearances or authorization to receive the information.
Copies of the materials were also stored at Bolton's residence in Bethesda, Maryland, raising additional concerns about the handling and security of sensitive government records.
Bolton served as Trump's national security adviser from April 2018 until September 2019. The two later became outspoken critics of one another following Bolton's departure from the administration.
The former national security adviser faces a maximum prison sentence of five years in connection with the case.
He is also expected to pay a $2.25 million fine as part of the legal proceedings.
Wednesday's hearing will determine the sentence imposed following his guilty plea.
The case centers on the legal obligations of former government officials to safeguard national defense information, including after leaving public office.
Bolton's sentencing comes amid continued scrutiny of how classified and sensitive government materials are retained, stored and shared by individuals who previously held senior national security positions.
Bolton, 77, admitted to improperly handling sensitive government information obtained during his time serving in President Donald Trump's first administration.
According to court documents, Bolton incorporated classified information related to his official duties into personal diary entries.
Prosecutors said those entries contained national defense information that Bolton was not authorized to disclose.
The documents were subsequently transmitted to two relatives who did not have the necessary security clearances or authorization to receive the information.
Copies of the materials were also stored at Bolton's residence in Bethesda, Maryland, raising additional concerns about the handling and security of sensitive government records.
Bolton served as Trump's national security adviser from April 2018 until September 2019. The two later became outspoken critics of one another following Bolton's departure from the administration.
The former national security adviser faces a maximum prison sentence of five years in connection with the case.
He is also expected to pay a $2.25 million fine as part of the legal proceedings.
Wednesday's hearing will determine the sentence imposed following his guilty plea.
The case centers on the legal obligations of former government officials to safeguard national defense information, including after leaving public office.
Bolton's sentencing comes amid continued scrutiny of how classified and sensitive government materials are retained, stored and shared by individuals who previously held senior national security positions.
