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Former NSA Executive Pleads Guilty to Unauthorized Access of Government Computer
A former top executive at the National Security Agency (NSA) has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of intentionally exceeding the authorized access of a computer. Thomas A. Drake, 54, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett to the one-count criminal information charging him with unauthorized access of an NSA computer.
The crime occurred from approximately February 2006 through March 2007, when Drake intentionally accessed NSANet, obtained NSA information, and provided the information to another person not permitted or authorized to receive it. The information is classified.
As part of the plea agreement, the government has filed a motion to dismiss the pending indictment against Drake, which included charges of willful retention of classified information, obstruction of justice, and false statements.
Drake, a former NSA employee from August 2001 through April 2008, held a Top Secret clearance and had access to classified computer systems, including the NSA’s internal intranet or NSANet. He received various security briefings regarding the handling restrictions and requirements involving official NSA information.
“Today, Thomas Drake admitted that he illegally accessed classified NSA computer systems to obtain information that he then provided to another person who had no authorization to receive it,” said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer. “Individuals who are granted special access to our nation’s most sensitive information cannot unilaterally decide to disregard the law and agreements they make with the government on how that information may be handled.”
Sentencing for Drake is scheduled for July 15, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. The case was investigated by the FBI and the NSA Office of Security & Counterintelligence, with the National Security Division providing assistance.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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