Former national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified information

John Bolton, former U.S. national security adviser, pleaded guilty on Friday to 18 charges related to the mishandling of classified information. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, who approved a plea agreement. Under the terms, Bolton faces up to 60 months in prison and must pay a fine of $2.25 million, with half due within five days and the full amount within 90 days. Additionally, Bolton is required to perform 100 hours of community service and participate in debriefings with government officials. He will also forfeit his government pension. Prosecutors alleged that over a seven-year period, Bolton shared sensitive intelligence with two relatives, potentially for use in his memoir, "The Room Where It Happened." However, authorities clarified that no classified information was ultimately published in the book. Bolton had previously pleaded not guilty to these charges last October. Sentencing is scheduled for October.