Russian national and gun-rights advocate Maria Butina traded sex for a position in a special-interest organization, according to U.S. prosecutors who asked a judge to keep her in jail before trial because of her ties to Russian intelligence services.
Butina, 29, faces federal charges that she illegally conspired to establish a back channel to American politicians during the last election cycle and operated as an unregistered agent of the Russian Federation in the U.S. She’s scheduled to appear in Washington federal court later on Wednesday.
"Because Butina has been exposed as an illegal agent of Russia, there is the grave risk that she will appeal to those within that government with whom she conspired to aid her escape from the United States," prosecutors said in a court filing Wednesday. “Butina presents an extreme flight risk.”
Butina used a U.S. citizen, who isn’t named by prosecutors but matches the description of political operative Paul Erickson, to gain access to an extensive network of Americans in position to influence political activities in the country, prosecutors said. She lived with the 56-year-old man, but appeared to “treat it as simply a necessary aspect of her activities,” the U.S. said.
“On at least one occasion, Butina offered an individual other than U.S. Person 1 sex in exchange for a position within a special-interest organization,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors also said the Federal Bureau of Investigation uncovered evidence that Butina appeared to be "in contact with officials believed to be Russian intelligence operatives" during her time in the U.S.
Butina is accused of attempting to influence American politics by infiltrating groups such as the National Rifle Association. She’s the latest Russian to be charged in an expanding investigation that on Friday led to the indictment of 12 Russian military intelligence officers who allegedly stole and disseminated emails from Democratic groups.
Russian Accused of Infiltrating NRA on Mission From Kremlin
Butina’s lawyer, Robert Neil Driscoll, previously said the charges were overstated and that there was "simply no indication of Butina seeking to influence or undermine any specific policy or law."
It was apparent Butina was getting ready to leave Washington, the U.S. said. She canceled her lease, sent $3,500 to an account in Russia and inquired about renting a moving truck, they said.
The charges against Butina were made public just hours after President Donald Trump appeared to accept assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country didn’t try to influence the 2016 election.
Trump later issued a public clarification of his remarks, saying he misspoke and accepted the U.S. intelligence finding of Russian meddling in the election, although he immediately followed up by saying it could’ve been someone else too.
The investigation into Butina’s activities began before Robert Mueller was brought on as special counsel in May 2017 and is being handled by the Justice Department’s national security unit.
The case is U.S. v. Butina, 18-cr-00218, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).
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