Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with individuals linked to Russia as part of the Mueller investigation into interference in the 2016 election.
George Papadopoulos is a former foreign policy advisor to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Born on August 19, 1987, in Chicago, Illinois, Papadopoulos gained attention due to his role in events related to Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Early Career:
- George Papadopoulos earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University and later obtained a master’s degree in security studies from the University of London.
Trump Campaign:
- Papadopoulos joined Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in March 2016, serving as a foreign policy advisor.
- He played a relatively low-profile role within the campaign but attracted attention due to his interactions with individuals connected to Russia.
Interaction with Russian Contacts:
- Papadopoulos became the subject of investigation by the FBI regarding his contacts with individuals linked to Russia during the 2016 campaign.
- One such contact was Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese professor who allegedly informed Papadopoulos about the Russians possessing “dirt” on Hillary Clinton in the form of emails.
Legal Troubles and Guilty Plea:
- In October 2017, Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI regarding the timing and nature of his interactions with Russian contacts.
- He admitted to lying about the extent of his knowledge regarding the Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election.
Sentencing and Post-Legal Period:
- In September 2018, Papadopoulos was sentenced to 14 days in prison, fined $9,500, and ordered to perform community service.
- He completed his prison sentence and later published a book titled “Deep State Target: How I Got Caught in the Crosshairs of the Plot to Bring Down President Trump.”
Post-Sentencing Period:
- Papadopoulos continued to be a public figure and commentator on issues related to the investigation into Russian interference.
- He has expressed opinions challenging the legitimacy of the investigation and defended his actions during the campaign.
George Papadopoulos’ legal troubles centered around making false statements to the FBI during the investigation into Russian interference. His guilty plea and subsequent sentencing were part of the broader inquiry led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.