Edward Snowden, Violating Non-Disclosure Agreements, Virginia 2020

Edward Snowden, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee and contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), was found liable for violating non-disclosure agreements.

A U.S. District Court in Virginia ruled that Snowden breached his contractual and fiduciary obligations to the CIA and NSA by publishing his book, 'Permanent Record,' and giving public speeches without submitting them for pre-publication review. The court found that Snowden's actions were in violation of his non-disclosure agreements, which he signed with both agencies.

The lawsuit, filed in September 2019, sought to recover all proceeds earned by Snowden from the book and speeches. The government did not seek to stop or restrict the publication or distribution of 'Permanent Record.' Instead, the government sought to recover the financial gains made by Snowden due to his failure to submit his publication for pre-publication review.

In December 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found in favor of the United States on the issue of liability, holding that Snowden breached his contractual and fiduciary obligations to the CIA and NSA. However, the court reserved judgment on the scope of these violations or the remedies due to the government.

On Tuesday, the court entered judgment in the government's favor, ordering Snowden to pay over $5.2 million in damages. The court also imposed a constructive trust for the benefit of the United States over those sums and any further monies, royalties, or other financial advantages derived by Snowden from 'Permanent Record' and 56 specific speeches.

'Edward Snowden violated his legal obligations to the United States, and therefore, his unlawful financial gains must be relinquished to the government,' said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. 'As this case demonstrates, the government will not overlook the wrongful actions of those who seek to betray the trust reposed in them and to personally profit from their access to classified national security information.'

Defendant: Edward Snowden
Crime: Violating Non-Disclosure Agreements
City and State: Virginia
Exact Date: September 29, 2020
Sentence: Ordered to pay over $5.2 million in damages

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/united-states-obtains-final-judgment-and-permanent-injunction-against-edward-snowden