The CIA has fired an officer for unauthorized leaks of classified information to the media. A CIA spokeswoman says, “This is just the beginning.”
The CIA has fired one of its officers for leaking classified information, an agency spokeswoman said Friday. The officer admitted to “unauthorized discussions with the media in which the officer knowingly and willfully shared classified intelligence including operational information,” said spokeswoman Michelle Neff. Neff declined to divulge the officer’s name or position, or what specifically was leaked.
A U.S. official said the person’s name has been turned over to the Justice Department, where a determination will be made whether to file criminal charges. The Justice Department is conducting an investigation into several leaks, including ones concerning secret CIA prisons and the National Security Agency’s domestic spying program. Justice Department officials had no comment.
As for the CIA’s investigation, “This is just the beginning,” said Neff.
All CIA personnel are required to sign agreements prohibiting them from discussing classified information with anyone who doesn’t have clearance.
I don’t want to see a witch hunt here, which could cause a severe strain in the morale of the Agency. At the same time, those who commit serious breaches of their oaths have to be punished.
