Sandy Berger, who as national security adviser to President Bill Clinton had access to the most secret U.S. intelligence, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of intentionally removing classified documents from a government reading room last year and destroying some of them.
When asked for his plea Friday, Berger said in a loud, strong voice, "Guilty, your honor" and then with his eyes downcast, he returned to his seat and let out a sigh.
Outside the U.S. District Courthouse, Berger said "It was a mistake, and it was wrong."
The maximum penalty for the offense is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. But in a deal reached with prosecutors, Berger agreed to pay a $10,000 fine and to give up his top-level security clearance for three years, in return for no prison time. The agreement requires the formal approval of a federal judge, who will sentence him in July.
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