Changes

Despite the government's efforts to paint Butina as a Russian spy attempting to infiltrate [[Republican]] circles she was never investigated by the [[Mueller Team]]. Further, the FBI did nothing to stop Butina from meeting with high level Republican and conservative figures. The FBI didn't warn those conservative figures she had made contact with,  even though the FBI had Butina under [[surveillance]]. Unlike an associate of Russian operative Anna Chapman who mad contact with a major [[Democratic party]] donor close to [[Hillary Clinton]], the FBI acted swiftly to make arrest.<ref>https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/399970-the-real-maria-butina-scandal-fbi-could-have-prevented-it</ref>

Despite the government's efforts to paint Butina as a Russian spy attempting to infiltrate [[Republican]] circles she was never investigated by the [[Mueller Team]]. Further, the FBI did nothing to stop Butina from meeting with high level Republican and conservative figures. The FBI didn't warn those conservative figures she had made contact with,  even though the FBI had Butina under [[surveillance]]. Unlike an associate of Russian operative Anna Chapman who mad contact with a major [[Democratic party]] donor close to [[Hillary Clinton]], the FBI acted swiftly to make arrest.<ref>https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/399970-the-real-maria-butina-scandal-fbi-could-have-prevented-it</ref>

In 2018, Butina pleaded guilty to a [[FARA]] Act violation. Prosecutors had to walk back accusations they made during the trial that she was a Russian spy using sex as a tool to gain influence and access. The guilty plea was not an admission that Butina was a Russian spy or involved in [[espionage]] but a failure to register as a Russian citizen working on behalf of her country.

In 2018, Butina pleaded guilty to a [[FARA]] Act violation. The case was heard by [[Obama]] appointee Judge [[Tanya Chutkan]] in [[DC]]. Prosecutors had to walk back accusations they made during the trial that she was a Russian spy using sex as a tool to gain influence and access. The guilty plea was not an admission that Butina was a Russian spy or involved in [[espionage]] but a failure to register as a Russian citizen working on behalf of her country.

Butina was sentenced to Florida's FCI Tallahassee minimum security prison until Oct. 25, 2019. She was released from prison on Oct. 25, 2019 and boarded a plane heading to Russia.<ref>https://www.rt.com/news/471846-butina-leaves-prison-florida/</ref>  Butina explained why she accepted a plea deal:

Butina was sentenced to Florida's FCI Tallahassee minimum security prison until Oct. 25, 2019. She was released from prison on Oct. 25, 2019 and boarded a plane heading to Russia.<ref>https://www.rt.com/news/471846-butina-leaves-prison-florida/</ref>  Butina explained why she accepted a plea deal: