US: Former Russian diplomat admits helping oligarch Deripaska circumvent sanctions

A former Russian diplomat accused in the United States of conspiring to evade sanctions by working for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of lying to FBI agents.

Naturalized US citizen Sergei Shestakov had previously denied guilt on several charges related to work he did for Kremlin-linked oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Deripaska has been under US sanctions since 2018.

Shestakov's trial was scheduled to begin on June 17 in Manhattan federal court. He faces up to five years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for later this year.

On June 12, the former diplomat told the judge that he pleaded guilty to one count of lying to the FBI about his business relationship with Deripaska. In return, US prosecutors dropped other charges, including conspiracy to launder money. Shestakov's lawyer, Rita Glavina, has not yet responded to an email requesting comment. Shestakov could not be reached immediately for comment.

Source: Radio Svoboda