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submitted 11 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

One of the highest-ranking FBI agents to ever face criminal charges was sentenced to over four years in prison on Thursday for secretly colluding with a Russian oligarch.

Charles McGonigal, a former counterintelligence leader in the FBI's New York field office, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. McGonigal's lawyers had asked for no prison time, but the judge came down harshly on the former FBI bigwig.

"I committed a felony and as a former FBI special agent it causes me extreme emotional and physical pain," McGonigal told the judge prior to the imposition of the sentence. "I stand before you today with a deep sense of remorse."

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[-] Rognaut@lemmy.world 36 points 11 months ago

Remorse that you got caught.*

[-] arin@lemmy.world 26 points 11 months ago

Ah yes 50 months for treason as an internal high ranking agent. Just a slap on the wrist

[-] Uglyhead@lemmy.world 25 points 11 months ago

RuZZia owned the people that were supposed to be investigating The Tromp Crime Family.

[-] Llewellyn@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago

Don't worry, it's not for the benefit of my country (Russia) too. Only for the criminal top of it.

[-] streetfestival@lemmy.ca 22 points 11 months ago

Light treason

[-] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 20 points 11 months ago

"I committed a felony and as a former FBI special agent it causes me extreme emotional and physical pain. I stand before you today with a deep sense of remorse."

What he did, shat on the carpet? 50 months and this half-assed apology don't seem like a punishment for a treason for a top official.

[-] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 18 points 11 months ago

He served as the special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI's New York field office. In that position, McGonigal supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska, to whom he provided impermissible services.

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_McGonigal

In 2016, McGonigal was named Section Chief of the Cyber-Counterintelligence Coordination Section of the Counterintelligence Division. On October 4, 2016, it was announced that McGonigal was named "Special Agent in Charge of the Counterintelligence Division for the New York Field Office", appointed by James B. Comey.[3]

In March 2017, McGonigal expressed concern in a text message to then-FBI Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division Jennifer Boone that the surveillance warrant application on Carter Page could leak to the public after being presented to the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.[7]

McGonigal retired from the FBI in 2018.[8]

[-] Endorkend@kbin.social 14 points 11 months ago

it causes me extreme emotional and physical pain

That's the exact opposite of feeling remorse.

Remorse is about feeling bad about what you did to others or your country.

[-] Backspacecentury@kbin.social 13 points 11 months ago

“Great work McConigal, they split America’s voters from ear to ear”

“Hey, I’m tryin ta eat lunch here”

For reference:

https://youtu.be/vDtdCxGosUQ?si=bYz3OW529ytIYeLu

[-] theodewere@kbin.social 13 points 11 months ago

hey, law enforcement is a tough business, there are a lot of grey areas.. it's hard to know when it's okay and when it's not okay to become an asset of an agent of Putin's regime..

[-] Pistcow@lemm.ee 11 points 11 months ago

Ah, counter-counterintelligence.

[-] ours@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

FBI counter-intelligence has an interesting track record of working for the Russians.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

This is the only thing I can think of when I see the surname McGonigal (although admittedly, the spelling is different).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McGonagall

[-] misterundercoat@lemmy.world 10 points 11 months ago
[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

I'm guessing that's a Harry Potter thing? I'm afraid I never got into it. Probably why my association is with the Scottish so-called poet. Maybe Rowling made an intentional reference?

[-] reverendsteveii@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago

that's Hardcastle McCormick, yeah

[-] BatrickPateman@feddit.de 5 points 11 months ago

Great read. Thanks for that.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

I've "enjoyed" McGonigall's "poetry" for years.

[-] Pratai@lemmy.ca 6 points 11 months ago

ROFL…. Quick! Ask if the Russian oligarch cares!

[-] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 3 points 11 months ago

Of course he cares, who do you think gave the order to the judge?

[-] Maeve@kbin.social 5 points 11 months ago
[-] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago

The prosecutors wanted 5 yrs, the felon wanted none. The judge pulled in the right direction here.

[-] skeezix@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

That’s a real kick in the gonicles

this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
293 points (99.3% liked)

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