Maria Butina’s bail hearing is getting under way. Feds recently released explosive new allegations against her in a bid to keep her jailed. huffingtonpost.com/entry/maria-bu…
Prosecutors have argued she’s a flight risk, citing among other factors, her alleged “ties to the Russian Intelligence Services” and other Russian billionaires. She also recently tried to move money out of the U.S. and appeared to be packing up her belongings, feds say.
They’ve also released more salacious details, alleging she was the live-in girlfriend of a well-known GOP operative who helped her secure meetings with high-level officials in conservative politics.
The operative is widely believed to be Paul Erickson. Feds say Butina treated their relationship as "simply a necessary aspect of her activities.” Ouch. He also allegedly helped her with her graduate degree work, editing papers and answering exam questions.
On at least one occasion, Butina also offered an individual other than [Erickson] sex in exchange for a position within a special interest organization,” prosecutors claimed.
As others have reported, a judge denied a motion ahead of the hearing today to allow Butina to appear in civilian clothes. As a result, she may end up in court shackled and wearing prison clothes.
If convicted, Butina could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the charge of acting as an agent of the Russian government, and a maximum of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge.
JUST IN: Federal judge denies bail to Butina, orders her held in jail pending trial. Butina has pleaded not guilty to all charges. huffingtonpost.com/entry/maria-bu…
