WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal grand jury has indicted former National Security Advisor John Bolton, 76, of Bethesda, Maryland, on multiple charges related to the mishandling of classified information.
According to the Department of Justice, the indictment includes eight counts of transmission of national defense information (NDI) and ten counts of unlawful retention of NDI. Prosecutors allege that Bolton transmitted top-secret information through personal email and messaging accounts and retained additional classified documents in his residence.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “There is one tier of justice for all Americans. Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the investigation revealed that Bolton allegedly sent and stored highly sensitive intelligence in violation of federal law, adding that the case “was based on meticulous work from dedicated career professionals at the FBI.”
According to the indictment, the documents included intelligence on foreign adversaries, their leaders, and information regarding sources and methods used to obtain sensitive statements.
If convicted, Bolton faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count of unlawful retention and 10 years for each count of transmission of NDI. The FBI Baltimore Field Office is leading the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Sullivan and Robert Goldaris for the District of Maryland, along with Trial Attorneys S. Derek Shugert and Tanner Kroeger of the National Security Division, are prosecuting the case.
