WASHINGTON – Bill Clinton’s former national security adviser, Sandy Berger, today will plead guilty and admit he illegally sneaked top-secret documents out of the National Archives, sources have told The Post.
Berger’s plea to a single misdemeanor count will end the “Socks Docs” probe that began in October 2003 when National Archives staffers saw him sneaking out documents hidden in his clothes – by some accounts, in his socks.
The flap forced Berger to resign as a policy adviser to Democratic presidential contender John Kerry.
Berger admitted removing 40 to 50 top-secret documents but claimed it was an “honest mistake” made while he vetted Clinton-era documents for the 9/11 commission probe. He also acknowledged destroying some, but claimed it was accidental.
“Berger knowingly removed classified documents from the National Archives and Records Administration,” according to Justice Department charges filed late yesterday with Federal District Court in Washington.
Berger is due in court today to enter his plea. His lawyer, Lanny Breuer, didn’t respond to requests for comment.