The former top counterintelligence official at the FBI's New York field office has been arrested and charged with violating U.S. sanctions on Russia and money laundering, the Justice Department said Monday.
According to theunsealed in the New York case on Monday, federal prosecutors said McGonigal knew his actions violated sanctions because, in his capacity as the special agent in charge, he received then-classified information that Deripaska would be added to a list of oligarchs with close ties to the Kremlin who were considered for sanctions.
During talks with the firm, which was not identified in court filings, McGonigal met with Deripaska and others in London and Vienna, prosecutors said. Deripaska ultimately signed an engagement letter with the law firm to undertake efforts regarding the sanctions, with Deripaska agreeing to pay the firm $175,000 per month, with $25,000"earmarked" for"certain other professionals," the indictment said.
In August 2021, McGonigal, Shestakov and the Russian intelligence operative allegedly executed a contract under which a New Jersey-based corporation owned by McGonigal's friend would receive $51,280 from a, as well as monthly payments of $41,790 for"business intelligence services, analysis and research" relevant to the Russian corporation, its business operations and shareholders.
Federal prosecutors alleged McGonigal participated in his friend's business while working at the FBI, receiving a corporate email account and cellphone under a fake name to hide his work. But McGonigal said he never informed his friend that he was using the New Jersey company to receive payments through the contract with Deripaska, according to the indictment.
McGonigal and Shestakov then worked to obtain money from Deripaska to buy the"dark web" files, though the activity largely ended in late November 2021 when FBI agents, acting pursuant to a search warrant, seized the pair's personal electronic devices, according to prosecutors. "The FBI will go to great lengths to investigate and hold accountable anyone who violates the law, including when the individual is an FBI employee," he added."We hold ourselves to the highest standard, and our focus will remain on our mission and on doing the right thing, in the right way, every time."
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