Charles F. McGonigal, Sanctions Violation, New York 2024
Former FBI Agent in Charge of Counterintelligence Division Charged with Conspiracy to Violate US Sanctions on Russia
New York, NY - In a shocking turn of events, Charles F. McGonigal, a former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division in New York, was arrested on Saturday and charged with conspiring to violate US sanctions on Russia. McGonigal, 54, of New York City, was joined by Sergey Shestakov, 69, of Morris, Connecticut, a former Soviet and Russian diplomat, in the five-count indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York.
According to court documents, McGonigal and Shestakov allegedly conspired to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch who was designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN) in connection with the Government of the Russian Federation's actions with respect to Ukraine. Deripaska was sanctioned in 2018 due to his actions on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation and his involvement in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy.
The indictment alleges that McGonigal, while working at the FBI, received classified information that Deripaska would be added to the list of oligarchs considered for sanctions. Despite this knowledge, McGonigal and Shestakov allegedly agreed to and did investigate a rival Russian oligarch in return for concealed payments from Deripaska. The payments were made through shell companies, and the contract outlining the services to be performed was signed with a forged signature.
The charges against McGonigal and Shestakov include conspiring to violate and evade US sanctions, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), conspiring to commit money laundering, and money laundering. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count. Shestakov is also charged with making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
McGonigal and Shestakov were arrested in New York on Saturday and will make their initial court appearances this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave in Manhattan federal court. The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern about the potential for corruption and influence within the US government.
Defendant: Charles F. McGonigal, Sergey Shestakov
Criminal Charges: Conspiring to violate and evade US sanctions, violating the IEEPA, conspiring to commit money laundering, money laundering, making false statements
City and State: New York, NY
Date: April 6, 2018 (sanctions imposed on Oleg Deripaska), November 2021 (alleged conspiracy), May 2024 (arrest)
Sentence or Outcome: McGonigal and Shestakov face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count, with a possible additional five years for Shestakov's false statements charge. They are currently in custody awaiting trial.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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