CBS News reporter Catherine Herridge tweets this exchange that occurred between Kevin Clinesmith and Judge Boasberg during the plea hearing on August 19, 2020.
(Reformatted for an easier read.)
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleads guilty 1 count false statements, but key exchange goes to intent.
Judge Boasberg: Did you read plus understand this document before you signed it?
Clinesmith: I did your honor.
Judge Boasberg: This document actually sets forth the fact that the government contends occurred here. The act that you actually committed that you agree that what the government sets forth here is in fact true.
Clinemsith: Yes, your honor.
Judge Boasberg: And most specifically that on (garbled-date??) that you intentionally altered an email to add the language plus “not a source” in regard to individual one (Carter Page) plus you knew that (garbled) statement was not in fact true.
(20-second pause)
Judge Boasberg: I’m not sure whether you are conferring with your client, I didn’t hear a response to that question.
Lawyer: I apologize…on mute…give me a second…
Clinesmith: Sir, I, Sir at the time, I believed that the information I was providing in the email was accurate. but I, (stumbles) am agreeing that the information I entered into the email was not originally there. That I inserted that information.
Judge Boasberg: In other words, you agree that you intentionally altered the email to include information that was not originally in the email.
Clinesmith: Yes your honor.