WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors are backtracking on their allegation that a Russian woman accused of working as a secret agent offered to trade sex for access, according to a Justice Department court filing. Prosecutors say she used her contacts with the National Rifle Association and the National Prayer Breakfast to develop relationships with U.S. politicians and gather information for Russia. Prosecutors have said her activities in the U.S. were being directed by a Russian official, identified by Driscoll as Alexander Torshin. FBI agents photographed her dining with a diplomat suspected of being a Russian intelligence agent. ——Online:Read prosecutors’ court filing: http://apne.ws/rIV3Yy7Read Butina’s argument for release from jail: http://apne.ws/4I6nHlA

Source: National Post September 09, 2018 13:22 UTC