Feds Charge Russian Graduate Student With Conspiracy To Violate U.S. Law
Prosecutors accused Maria Butina of conspiring to violate a law that requires foreign agents to register with the U.S. government. Authorities said she was working for Russia.
Updated at 3:04 p.m. ET
Federal prosecutors have unsealed a criminal complaint accusing Maria Butina of conspiring to act as an agent of the Russian Federation without registering, as required, with the U.S. attorney general.
FBI Special Agent Kevin Helson wrote in that one goal of the alleged conspiracy was to "exploit personal connections with U.S. persons having influence in American politics in an effort to advance the interests of the Russian Federation."
