Internet shocked as ex-FBI official Charles McGonigal is sent to prison for 'colluding' with Russia but Trump spared

NEW YORK CITY: Charles McGonigal, a former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official who helped investigate former President Donald Trump's ties to Russia, has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for secretly working for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska to have US sanctions against the billionaire lifted.

The ironic downfall of the veteran G-man has shocked many, given McGonigal's history of working high-profile cases involving Russian contacts.

In handing down the over 4 year sentence on Thursday, December 14, the judge called McGonigal's conduct "a great risk to national security" and a "betrayal" of his oath to the country, as reported by New York Post.

Charles McGonigal sentenced to 50 months in prison along with a $40K fine

McGonigal, 55, pleaded guilty in August to violating US sanctions by agreeing to provide services to Deripaska, a Russian tycoon closely linked to Vladimir Putin.

According to prosecutors, McGonigal was paid $25,000 by Deripaska in 2021 to investigate a rival oligarch.

The former Special Agent in Charge of the New York Counterintelligence Division had met Deripaska during an official FBI trip years prior.

Prosecutors said that despite knowing Deripaska was facing US sanctions, McGonigal got himself hired by a law firm representing the billionaire after retiring in 2018.

"He was looking to turn his credentials into cash," said Assistant US Attorney Hagan Scotten, who called McGonigal's lust for money his primary motivation.

In federal court Thursday, US District Judge Jennifer Reardon sentenced McGonigal to 50 months in prison and a $40,000 fine for the violation of sanctions - just under the 5 year maximum penalty.

Reardon admonished the veteran investigator's conduct as "a betrayal" and blatant disregard for sanctions McGonigal "well knew" were imposed on Deripaska.

Charles McGonigal helped oversee FBI's investigation of Trump's ties to Russia

McGonigal delivered an emotional apology to the court, saying he felt "painful embarrassment" for sullying the FBI's reputation through his felony conviction.

His defense attorney had pleaded for leniency based on McGonigal's over two decades of service at the bureau. But prosecutors noted McGonigal earned an ample salary at the FBI and highlighted his existing assets, arguing greed was the real driver.

The sentencing marks a dramatic downfall for McGonigal, who had investigated numerous cases involving Russian contacts during his high-profile FBI career.

As Special Agent in Charge of Counterintelligence in New York from 2016-2018, McGonigal helped oversee sensitive probes into Russia's election interference and the FBI's investigation of Trump's ties to Russia.

Described by colleagues as an expert on organized crime in Eastern Europe, McGonigal led the investigation of Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort years before the election meddling probes.

Internet reacts to Charles McGonigal's imprisonment for Russian collusion

The irony of McGonigal's own Russia entanglements leading to his imprisonment was not lost on internet observers, many of whom expressed shock at the turn of events on social media.

"How ironic lol," remarked one X user. "The irony is baffling," expressed another.

A third user added, "Imagine that." Meanwhile, someone noted, "Wow, that's quite a surprising turn of events! It's definitely ironic when someone accuses others of something they themselves are guilty of."

Yet another user quipped, "Oh the Irony."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.