Govt. Clamps Down on Press Leaks

Image via WikipediaFormer CIA operative Jeffrey Sterling has been indicted on 10 counts in federal court for allegedly providing classified information to the news media.

The indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (U.S. v. Sterling, Case No. 1:10CR485(LMB)) includes counts alleging unauthorized disclosure of national defense information, mail fraud, unlawful retention of national defense information, obstruction of justice and unauthorized conveyance of government property.  According to a Washington Post account, Sterling, a 43-year-old O'Fallon, Missouri, native,  is accused of providing confidential data to New York Times reporter James Risen.

During his time with The Company, Sterling was involved in intelligence operations concerning Iran.  The Obama Administration has initiated criminal proceedings in five "leaks" cases, more than any other president.