WASHINGTON ― Maria Butina, a Russian gun rights activist who became enmeshed in Republican politics during the 2016 election, has pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy against the United States by acting as an agent of the Russian Federation. ASSOCIATED PRESS Maria Butina has pleaded guilty to engaging in conspiracy against the United States. Her plea agreement indicates that Butina admitted that she and “Person 1” ― her boyfriend Paul Erickson ― “agreed and conspired” with a Russian government official and at least one other person “for Butina to act in the United States under the direction of Russian Official,” known to be Alexander Torshin. Person 1’s assistance and subject to Russian Official’s direction, Butina sought to establish unofficial lines of communication with Americans having power and influence over U.S. politics,” the agreement states. “Butina sought to use those official lines of communication for the benefit of the Russian Federation, acting through Russian Official.”

Source: Huffington Post December 13, 2018 16:51 UTC