Maria Butina, Accused Russian Agent, Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy

WASHINGTON, DC — Maria Butina, the woman accused of being a secret agent for the Russian government, has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in federal court in Washington. Her plea comes days after prosecutors signaled they had reached a deal.

Butina, a 30-year-old gun rights activist, was arrested in July. She was accused of gathering intelligence on American officials and political organizations. Butina's work was directed by a former Russian lawmaker, prosecutors said, and she worked to develop relationships with American politicians through her contacts with the National Rifle Association.

Prosecutors said her work was directed by a former Russian lawmaker who was penalized by the Treasury Department for his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Butina was charged with conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Russia. Her lawyer has argued that Butina was a student interested in American politics and better U.S.-Russian relations.

Butina's court appearance comes days after her lawyers and prosecutors filed court papers asking to change her plea. They said they had "resolved" the case.

The charges against Butina were brought by federal prosecutors in Washington, and her case was unrelated to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

By MICHAEL BALSAMO, Associated Press

Photo credit: Associated Press