“The
United States government is under investigation following allegations
that the Pentagon inspector general’s office destroyed documents
during the investigation of NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake. Lawyers
for Drake, including Jesselyn Radack, made the accusation in April.
They allege that the government improperly destroyed documents
relating to Drake’s work with a group of whistleblowers from
2002-2003, who legally cooperated with congressional and inspector
general inquiries relating to NSA programs.”
“In
2010, the whistleblower was charged for leaking information about NSA
spying to the media. Drake is one of only four individuals in US
history to ever be charged under the 'willful retention of national
defense ινφορμάτιον' portion of the Espionage Act. The
following year, all charges against him were dropped, except for one
to which he pleaded guilty: misusing the agency’s computer system,
a misdemeanor. Drake avoided prison and was sentenced to one year
probation and community service.”
“At the
sentencing hearing, the judge slammed the government for charging a
defendant with a laundry list of crimes which could have amounted to
35 years in prison, just to drop all major charges on the eve of the
trial. The investigation into the accusations was launched in May,
when US Magistrate Judge Stephanie Gallagher told Justice Department
lawyers that the judge who presided over Drake’s case, which ended
nearly four years ago, asked her to 'make recommendations as to
whether any action by the court is warranted or appropriate.' During
the evidence gathering portion of Drake’s prosecution, his lawyers
had attempted to obtain documentation relating to his cooperation
with the Pentagon inspector general’s office for use in his
defense, but were told that most of the documents had been destroyed
according, they claimed, to policy.”
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