Submit your comments on this article | ||||
Home Front: Politix | ||||
Leak of Classified Information Prompts Inquiry | ||||
2006-07-29 | ||||
WASHINGTON, July 28 — A federal grand jury has begun investigating the leak of classified information about intelligence programs to the press and has subpoenaed a former National Security Agency employee who claims to have witnessed illegal activity while working at the agency.
For months, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been looking into disclosures of secret intelligence operations, including The New York TimesÂ’s reports in December about the N.S.A.Â’s domestic surveillance program and The Washington PostÂ’s articles on the Central Intelligence AgencyÂ’s overseas jails for terror suspects. But the subpoena is the first public confirmation that a grand jury has begun to hear evidence.
Mr. Tice said in a telephone interview on Friday that he believed that the leak investigation and subpoena were designed to discourage A Justice Department official, who would discuss the confidential criminal investigation only on condition of anonymity, said that the leak inquiry was in a preliminary investigative phase and that no journalist had been subpoenaed. The official said federal agents had interviewed officials at several intelligence agencies about their contacts with reporters at The Times and other news organizations. Mr. Tice was dismissed last year from his job as a space systems specialist at the N.S.A., the eavesdropping agency based at Fort Meade, Md., where he worked on top-secret satellite intelligence collection programs. In a 20-year career, he also worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency and in Air Force intelligence. By his account, his troubles began after he raised questions inside the agency about various N.S.A. activities. Eventually, Mr. Tice said, agency officials questioned his mental health and stripped him of the security clearance he needed for intelligence work. He said that his mental health was “perfect” and that his dismissal was retaliation for his whistle-blowing. He said he was now doing housing construction work. Mr. Tice said that he had discussed unclassified information about the security agency with reporters for The Times and other publications but that he had always been careful not to reveal classified information.
| ||||
Posted by:Steve White |
#5 Even if he didn't give classified info directly to the press he might provide the trail to the congresscritter who did. I know Rep. 'Bagdad' Jim McDermitt (D-AlQaida) doesn't have a problem passing illegal information to the press. (incliding illegally recorded cellphone conversations - ask Newt). He also is a big-big defender of Islam and Al-Qaida. Would love to this guy brought before a grand Jury. |
Posted by: CrazyFool 2006-07-29 12:05 |
#4 "...Congressional staff members who had the necessary security clearances to receive the information." Really? Out of curiosity who's staff do you suppose they worked for? I'd wager they have a (-D) after their title. Just a guess. |
Posted by: DepotGuy 2006-07-29 11:14 |
#3 Doesn't matter what he's sentenced to. He'll be pardoned by President Clinton on her first day in office. |
Posted by: Jackal 2006-07-29 08:53 |
#2 One hopes that is the correct math. Though personally I'd prefer 6 lumps of lead as the sum. |
Posted by: DanNY 2006-07-29 07:07 |
#1 2 + 2 + 2 = ... ...25 to life. |
Posted by: PBMcL 2006-07-29 01:39 |