In a recent case, a 32-year-old woman from Honolulu, Asia Janay Lavarello, has been sentenced to three months in prison and given a $5,500 fine for the removal and retention of classified material. Lavarello, who was a Department of Defense employee, pleaded guilty to the charge of knowingly removing classified information concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States, and keeping it at an unauthorized location. The court documents revealed that Lavarello had taken numerous classified documents and notes without authorization, mishandling and improperly securing them. Her actions were discovered when she hosted a dinner party in her hotel room and a co-worker found the classified documents. Lavarello had also made false statements during the investigation. The joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service led to the prosecution of this case.
Title: Honolulu Woman Sentenced to Three Months in Prison for Removal and Retention of Classified Material
Background Information
– Overview of the case
A Honolulu woman named Asia Janay Lavarello has been sentenced to three months in prison for the removal and retention of classified material.
– Summary of the sentence
Asia Janay Lavarello has been sentenced to three months in prison and a $5,500 fine for knowingly removing classified information concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States and retaining it at an unauthorized location.
– Date of the sentencing
Asia Janay Lavarello was sentenced on February 10, 2022.
Details of the Case
– Defendant’s name and age
The defendant in this case is Asia Janay Lavarello, who is 32 years old.
– Charges against the defendant
Asia Janay Lavarello was charged with knowingly removing classified information concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States and retaining it at an unauthorized location.
– Plea entered by the defendant
Asia Janay Lavarello entered a guilty plea to the charges against her in July 2021.
– Court where the trial took place
The trial took place in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.
Facts of the Case
– Description of the defendant’s role in the Department of Defense
Asia Janay Lavarello was a Department of Defense employee.
– Unauthorized access to classified information
Asia Janay Lavarello removed and retained numerous classified documents, writings, and notes relating to the national defense or foreign relations of the United States without authority.
– Temporary assignment at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
While working as an Executive Assistant at the United States Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, Asia Janay Lavarello accepted a temporary assignment working at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.
– Mishandling of classified documents
During her temporary assignment in the Philippines, Lavarello mishandled classified documents by removing them from the U.S. Embassy Manila and taking them to her hotel room where she hosted a dinner party.
– Discovery of classified documents during a dinner party
During the dinner party, a co-worker at the U.S. Embassy Manila discovered the classified documents, which included documents classified at the SECRET level.
– Termination of the defendant’s assignment in the Philippines
As a result of Lavarello’s mishandling of the classified documents, her temporary assignment in the Philippines was terminated.
– Search warrant executed at the defendant’s workplace in Hawaii
In June of the same year, investigators executed a search warrant at Lavarello’s workplace at the United States Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii.
– Discovery of a notebook containing classified information
During the search, investigators found a notebook containing Lavarello’s handwritten notes of meetings she attended while working at the U.S. Embassy Manila. The notes contained facts and information classified at the CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET levels.
– Failure to follow proper procedures for transporting classified information
Investigators determined that Lavarello did not follow proper procedures for transporting classified information. Instead of sending the classified notebook via secure diplomatic pouch from the U.S. Embassy Manila to Hawaii, she personally transported the documents to Hawaii, unsecured.
– False statements made during the investigation
During the investigation, Lavarello made false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service regarding her handling of the classified material.
Statements from Officials
– U.S. Attorney’s statement
According to United States Attorney Clare E. Connors, “Government employees authorized to access classified information should face imprisonment if they misuse that authority in violation of criminal law as Ms. Lavarello did in this case.”
– FBI Special Agent in Charge’s statement
FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill stated, “The American people entrust government employees with the responsibility to ensure classified information is properly handled and secure. Ms. Lavarello violated this trust when she removed classified documents from the U.S. Embassy Manila.”
– NCIS Special Agent in Charge’s statement
NCIS Special Agent in Charge Norman Dominesey said, “Today’s sentencing of Ms. Lavarello is a reminder that Department of Defense employees have the responsibility to ensure classified information is properly secured. Mishandling classified information places lives and the U.S. National Security at risk.”
Joint Investigation
– FBI and NCIS collaboration
The case was the result of a joint investigation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
– Lead prosecutors in the case
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib and Trial Attorney Stephen Marzen of the National Security Division were the lead prosecutors in the case.
Contact Information
– Point of contact for inquiries
For inquiries, please contact Elliot Enoki at Elliot.Enoki@usdoj.gov.
Related Content
– Links to other relevant articles
No links to other relevant articles are included in this content.
– Related press releases from the District of Hawaii
No related press releases from the District of Hawaii are mentioned.
District of Hawaii Information
– Address of the main office
The main office of the District of Hawaii is located at 300 Ala Moana Blvd., #6-100 Honolulu, HI 96850.
– Contact information for the USAO-HI Honolulu office
For contact information of the USAO-HI Honolulu office, please call (808) 541-2850 or email them.
– Victim Witness Assistance contact information
Victim Witness Assistance contact information is provided as Toll-Free (888) 310-9018.
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