Former US national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to illegally having top secret info

Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors that could allow him to avoid a prison term.

Bolton, who became an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump after serving in the Republican’s first administration, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28 by US District Judge Theodore Chuang in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Bolton, 77, pleaded guilty to a single count of illegally retaining classified information.

His plea agreement with the Justice Department may enable him to avoid time behind bars, but the judge ultimately will decide his punishment.

The plea agreement recommends capping any prison sentence at five years but the judge is not bound by that part of the deal.

Bolton can withdraw his guilty plea if the judge issues a longer prison sentence or a fine greater than US$2.25 million.