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Obama cracking down on leakers?
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- The Obama administration has been aggressively prosecuting government employees who leak information to the news media, The New York Times said Friday.
Most of the prosecutions begun under Attorney General Eric Holder involve leaks during the administration of former President George W. Bush, the newspaper said. But it said Holder's Justice Department appears to be seeking indictments where his predecessors might have backed off.
"I think this administration, like every other administration, is driven to distraction by leaking," said Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists. "And Congress wants a few scalps, too. On a bipartisan basis, they want these prosecutions to proceed."
One notable prosecution involves Thomas Drake, who was hired by the National Security Agency in 2001 to help upgrade its information technology. Drake provided information for a series in The Baltimore Sun, charging the NSA had wasted millions of dollars on failed software while ignoring a product that might be helpful.
Drake, described by friends as a whistle-blower, faces a 10-count indictment and a long sentence if he is convicted.
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- The Obama administration has been aggressively prosecuting government employees who leak information to the news media, The New York Times said Friday.
Most of the prosecutions begun under Attorney General Eric Holder involve leaks during the administration of former President George W. Bush, the newspaper said. But it said Holder's Justice Department appears to be seeking indictments where his predecessors might have backed off.
"I think this administration, like every other administration, is driven to distraction by leaking," said Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists. "And Congress wants a few scalps, too. On a bipartisan basis, they want these prosecutions to proceed."
One notable prosecution involves Thomas Drake, who was hired by the National Security Agency in 2001 to help upgrade its information technology. Drake provided information for a series in The Baltimore Sun, charging the NSA had wasted millions of dollars on failed software while ignoring a product that might be helpful.
Drake, described by friends as a whistle-blower, faces a 10-count indictment and a long sentence if he is convicted.