Washington: John Bolton, who served as Donald Trump's national security advisor before becoming an outspoken critic of the US president, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of retaining classified documents.
The 77-year-old veteran diplomat entered the plea in federal district court in Maryland as part of a deal in which prosecutors would recommend he serve no more than five years in prison.
Asked by judge Theodore Chuang if he was guilty, Bolton replied: "I am, your honor, and I'm sorry for it."
He will also have to pay a fine of $2.25 million.
Bolton, one of several Trump foes to be hit with criminal charges since the Republican president returned to the White House, was indicted in October on 18 counts of transmitting and retaining top secret national defense information.
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