Ex-CIA worker who leaked secrets to Wikileaks gets 40-year prison term
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
6:25 PM – Thursday, February 1, 2024
Former CIA Employee Sentenced to 40 Years for Leaking Classified Information
A shocking revelation has emerged as Joshua Schulte, a former CIA employee, has been handed a 40-year prison term for orchestrating the largest leak of secret information in CIA history. This incident, described as “some of the most heinous, brazen violations of the Espionage Act in American history,” has sent shockwaves through the intelligence community.
35-year-old Schulte provided WikiLeaks with access to Vault 7, a collection of CIA cyberespionage tools, which had severe implications for national security. After a previous trial resulted in a deadlocked jury, Schulte was found guilty in July 2022 of mishandling sensitive material and obstructing justice.
The first disclosure of secret material from the stolen CIA files was made public by WikiLeaks on March 7th, 2017. The leaked data exposed the CIA’s hacking activities and their attempts to convert internet-connected televisions into surveillance devices.
The impact of this leak on the CIA was devastating, with federal prosecutors comparing it to a “digital Pearl Harbor.” The agency’s personnel, programs, and assets were put at immediate risk.
“The impact on the CIA was immediately catastrophic,” federal prosecutors stated. “The effect of the WikiLeaks Disclosure was a ‘digital Pearl Harbor. We were dead in the water.”
Prosecutors argued that Schulte’s actions were not driven by altruism but rather by a desire for revenge against his superiors who had demoted and transferred him. In a shocking twist, Schulte was also found guilty of possessing child pornography.
“Today, Joshua Schulte was rightly punished not only for his betrayal of our country, but for his substantial possession of horrific child pornographic material,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said in a statement following sentencing. “The severity of his actions is evident, and the sentence imposed reflects the magnitude of the disturbing and harmful threat posed by his criminal conduct.”
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What were the implications for national security as a result of Joshua Schulte’s leak of classified information?
Former CIA employee, Joshua Schulte, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for leaking classified information, in what has been described as the largest leak of secret information in CIA history. This shocking revelation has sent shockwaves through the intelligence community.
Schulte provided WikiLeaks with access to Vault 7, a collection of CIA cyberespionage tools, which had severe implications for national security. The leaked data exposed the CIA’s hacking activities and their attempts to convert internet-connected televisions into surveillance devices.
The impact of this leak on the CIA was devastating, with federal prosecutors comparing it to a “digital Pearl Harbor.” The agency’s personnel, programs, and assets were put at immediate risk. Prosecutors argued that Schulte’s actions were not driven by altruism but rather by a desire for revenge against his superiors who had demoted and transferred him. In a shocking twist, Schulte was also found guilty of possessing child pornography.
“The impact on the CIA was immediately catastrophic,” federal prosecutors stated. “The effect of the WikiLeaks Disclosure was a ‘digital Pearl Harbor. We were dead in the water.”
Today, Joshua Schulte was rightly punished not only for his betrayal of our country but also for his substantial possession of horrific child pornographic material,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith in a statement following the sentencing. “The severity of his actions is evident, and the sentence imposed reflects the magnitude of the disturbing and harmful threat posed by his actions.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding classified information and the serious consequences that come with leaking such information. The intelligence community relies on the trust and loyalty of its employees to protect national security, and any breach of that trust can have far-reaching and dangerous implications.
The CIA and other intelligence agencies must continue to prioritize security measures, such as strict clearance processes, training programs, and robust internal controls, to prevent future leaks and protect sensitive information. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve the system of identifying individuals who may pose a risk to national security due to personal grievances or other motivations.
The sentencing of Joshua Schulte sends a clear message that acts of espionage and leaking classified information will not be tolerated and will be met with severe punishment. It serves as a warning to others who may consider engaging in similar actions.
The intelligence community must remain vigilant in its efforts to safeguard classified information and strengthen its security measures. The trust and confidence of the American people depend on it.
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