Former Donald Trump national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of illegally retaining classified information, according to U.S. media reports.
Bolton, 77, entered the plea in federal district court in Maryland after initially pleading not guilty to an 18-count indictment accusing him of improperly handling classified material related to notes he compiled for a book.
As part of the plea agreement, Bolton admitted to a single count of unlawful retention of classified information. The material included diary entries containing national defense information, some of which was classified at the top secret level.
Prosecutors said they will recommend a prison sentence of no more than five years. Bolton also agreed to pay a $2.25 million (£1.7 million) fine, debrief national security officials on the classified information he retained, and complete 100 hours of community service, according to CBS News.
During Friday’s court hearing, the judge outlined the allegations against Bolton, including claims that he shared diary entries containing sensitive information with family members. Bolton acknowledged the accusations were accurate.
“I did your honor,” Bolton said when asked whether he committed the actions described in court. He added he was “sorry for it.”
Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser before becoming one of the president’s most outspoken critics, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28.
