Alleged Russian Agent Maria Butina to Change Not Guilty Plea

Mariia Butina during a press conference in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 8, 2013. STR/AFP/Getty Images

Maria Butina, allegedly an unregistered agent of the Russian government, is ready to change her previous not guilty plea, according to a court document filed on Dec. 10. Both her lawyers and the prosecutor requested a plea hearing, which the judge set for Dec. 12.

A Russian official instructed Butina, 30, to push for Russian interests in the United States, according to an affidavit (pdf) attached to the Justice Department’s criminal complaint (pdf). Agents of foreign governments are required to register with the Attorney General, which Butina failed to do.