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International Business Times
International Business Times
National
Matias Civita

John Bolton Pleads Guilty in Classified Information Case, Agrees to Multi-Million Dollar Penalty

John Bolton Donald Trump National Security
Bolton entered the plea in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, admitting to one count of unlawful retention of classified national defense information. (Credit: Al Drago/Getty Images)

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty Friday to a felony charge of illegally retaining classified information, bringing an end to a high-profile criminal case tied to his handling of sensitive national security records after leaving government service.

Bolton entered the plea in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, admitting to one count of unlawful retention of classified national defense information. The agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice significantly reduces his legal exposure following his indictement October 2025 on 18 felony counts, which alleged he unlawfully retained and transmitted classified materials following his tenure in the Trump administration.

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