Former FBI counterintelligence agent Charles McGonigal could reach a deal with U.S. prosecutors, who accuse him of hiding money and helping a Russian oligarch.
McGonigal, who worked for 22 years at the FBI and retired in 2018, is charged in two separate cases in New York and Washington DC, including concealing $225,000 received by a former Albanian intelligence agent.
His lawyer, Seth DuCharme, said McGonigal has two options, either plead guilty or go through regular litigation. So far, McGonigal has pleaded not guilty.
"We are hopeful that the case will be resolved and we will not go to trial. "We will know about the day of the day," he said. Workers' Day coincides with the first Monday of September.
The attorney's comments suggest McGonigal and prosecutors could reach an agreement. The lawyer insisted he wants to look at the rest of the documents prosecutors have uncovered on the case. But for that it would take some time as they require editing and censorship.
In Albania, McGonigal has conducted several visits where he met with senior officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama. He called him a "friend" and denied opposition accusations that McGonigal was used against money to "take away the non-gratate of Albanian oligarchs, politicians and mafiosi."
It is unclear where mcGonigal and prosecutors could be and what charges he might plead guilty to.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 13, and the one for the case in New York is set on Tuesday.