[h=1]First arrest over Trump leaks: Intelligence contractor, 25, is charged under espionage laws for 'handing secret NSA report on Russian election hacking to website'[/h]
- The Intercept on Monday published a top secret NSA document it got from an anonymous source
- The document appeared to show Russian military intelligence conducted a spear phishing cyber attack on an election software company
- The hackers then used the information to launch another attack to hit local governments with voter-registration linked attacks
- The feds filed a criminal complaint Monday against Georgia a federal contractor, Reality Leigh Winner, 25, charging her with removing classified material from a government facility
- She was charged with transmitting it to an 'online news outlet'
- The date attached to the top secret information referenced in the story and in the charging documents is the same
- The FBI arrested the woman who leaked the document to the Intercept, NBC News reported
The federal government has leveled the first charges against an individual in connection with leaks related to the Russian election hacking.
The government has charged Reality Leigh Winner, 25, a Georgia intelligence contractor, with passing secret documents to the media.
'Winner is a contractor with Pluribus International Corporation assigned to a U.S. government agency facility in Georgia,' according to a government criminal complaint.
'She has been employed at the facility since on or about February 13, and has held a Top Secret clearance during that time.
'On or about May 9, Winner printed and improperly removed classified intelligence reporting, which contained classified national defense information from an intelligence community agency, and unlawfully retained it.'
The government has charged Reality Leigh Winner, 25, a Georgia intelligence contractor, with passing secret documents to the media.
'Winner is a contractor with Pluribus International Corporation assigned to a U.S. government agency facility in Georgia,' according to a government criminal complaint.
'She has been employed at the facility since on or about February 13, and has held a Top Secret clearance during that time.
'On or about May 9, Winner printed and improperly removed classified intelligence reporting, which contained classified national defense information from an intelligence community agency, and unlawfully retained it.'
'Approximately a few days later, Winner unlawfully transmitted by mail the intelligence reporting to an online news outlet,' according to the release.
'FBI has arrested and charged the woman they say leaked a Top Secret document to The Intercept,' NBC News reported, citing a federal official.
The charges coincided with a report by The Intercept that a top secret NSA document revealed efforts by Russian military intelligence to conduct a spear phishing cyber attack on a company and on local voter registration.
'Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate actors … executed cyber espionage operations against a named U.S. company in August 2016, evidently to obtain information on elections-related software and hardware solutions,' according to the document the Intercept published.
'The actors likely used data obtained from that operation to … launch a voter registration-themed spear-phishing campaign targeting U.S. local government organizations.'
'FBI has arrested and charged the woman they say leaked a Top Secret document to The Intercept,' NBC News reported, citing a federal official.
The charges coincided with a report by The Intercept that a top secret NSA document revealed efforts by Russian military intelligence to conduct a spear phishing cyber attack on a company and on local voter registration.
'Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate actors … executed cyber espionage operations against a named U.S. company in August 2016, evidently to obtain information on elections-related software and hardware solutions,' according to the document the Intercept published.
'The actors likely used data obtained from that operation to … launch a voter registration-themed spear-phishing campaign targeting U.S. local government organizations.'
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An NSA document published by The Intercept reveals a Russian-backed effort to target local government officials and U.S. firms as part of the campaign
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According to a government criminal complaint, 'Winner (above) is a contractor with Pluribus International Corporation assigned to a U.S. government agency facility in Georgia'
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The complaint states that Winner (above) has been employed 'at the facility since on or about February 13, and has held a Top Secret clearance during that time'
According to the FBI, 'Winner agreed to talk with agents during the execution of the warrant. During that conversation, Winner admitted intentionally identifying and printing the classified intelligence reporting at issue despite not having a 'need to know,' and with knowledge that the intelligence reporting was classified.'
Without a lawyer present, 'Winner further admitted removing the classified intelligence reporting from her office space, retaining it, and mailing it from Augusta, Georgia, to the news outlet, which she knew was not authorized to receive or possess the documents,' according to the government.
According to the warrant, 'WINNER was an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force and held a Top Secret clearance.'
The Intercept story states that the documents raise the possibility that Russian-based hackers 'may have breached at least some elements of the voting system,' bringing the investigation of election interference to a new level.
Previous analyses by the intelligence community have stated that Russia was behind hacking into the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chair in an effort to impact the election, but have not provided evidence of a successful campaign to affect the vote count or voter rolls.
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The complaint states, 'On or about May 9, Winner (above) printed and improperly removed classified intelligence reporting, which contained classified national defense information from an intelligence community agency, and unlawfully retained it.'
Without a lawyer present, 'Winner further admitted removing the classified intelligence reporting from her office space, retaining it, and mailing it from Augusta, Georgia, to the news outlet, which she knew was not authorized to receive or possess the documents,' according to the government.
According to the warrant, 'WINNER was an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force and held a Top Secret clearance.'
The Intercept story states that the documents raise the possibility that Russian-based hackers 'may have breached at least some elements of the voting system,' bringing the investigation of election interference to a new level.
Previous analyses by the intelligence community have stated that Russia was behind hacking into the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chair in an effort to impact the election, but have not provided evidence of a successful campaign to affect the vote count or voter rolls.
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The complaint states, 'On or about May 9, Winner (above) printed and improperly removed classified intelligence reporting, which contained classified national defense information from an intelligence community agency, and unlawfully retained it.'
An affidavit by an FBI agent in support of an arrest warrant states that on June 1, the FBI was notified by a government agency that it had been contacted by an unnamed news outlet in connection to a story.
After examining the Top Secret document, investigators found pages appeared to be folded or creased – indicating it was printed and carried out of a 'secured space' by hand.
An audit concluded that six individuals had printed the document – including Winner.
Upon being interviewed, Winner admitted printing it without having a 'need to know.'
According to the criminal complaint, 'Exceptional law enforcement efforts allowed us quickly to identify and arrest the defendant,' said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein – who previously named a special counsel to head up the investigation of Russian election interference.
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The feds got a warrant for Winner's arrest
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The affidavit mentions a 'U.S. Government Agency' believed to be the NSA
After examining the Top Secret document, investigators found pages appeared to be folded or creased – indicating it was printed and carried out of a 'secured space' by hand.
An audit concluded that six individuals had printed the document – including Winner.
Upon being interviewed, Winner admitted printing it without having a 'need to know.'
According to the criminal complaint, 'Exceptional law enforcement efforts allowed us quickly to identify and arrest the defendant,' said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein – who previously named a special counsel to head up the investigation of Russian election interference.
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The feds got a warrant for Winner's arrest
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The affidavit mentions a 'U.S. Government Agency' believed to be the NSA
'Releasing classified material without authorization threatens our nation's security and undermines public faith in government. People who are trusted with classified information and pledge to protect it must be held accountable when they violate that obligation,' said Rosenstein.
According to the Intercept, the NSA sought redactions after being contacted, some of which were accepted.
The NSA document is titled 'Spear-Phishing campaign TTPs used Against U.S. and Foreign Government Political Entities
It states that 'It is unknown if the GRU (Russian military intelligence) was able to successfully compromise any of the entities targeted as part of this campaign. While this [redacted] cyber espionage program utilized some techniques that were similar to other Russian GRU cyber operations units, this activity demonstrated several characteristics that distinguish it from another major GRU spear-phishing program known as [redacted].'
Fort Gordon in Georgia houses a cybserspace operation training institution, called the Cyber Center of Excellence.
An unclassified intelligence community report concluded that Russia conducted a campaign during the presidential election 'to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency.'
President Trump has repeatedly railed against leaks, and administration members have called on congressional committees to focus not just on alleged Russian interference, but 'unmasking' of individuals in leaked governments and leak investigations.
'It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the media,' Trump tweeted last week.
Read more:
According to the Intercept, the NSA sought redactions after being contacted, some of which were accepted.
The NSA document is titled 'Spear-Phishing campaign TTPs used Against U.S. and Foreign Government Political Entities
It states that 'It is unknown if the GRU (Russian military intelligence) was able to successfully compromise any of the entities targeted as part of this campaign. While this [redacted] cyber espionage program utilized some techniques that were similar to other Russian GRU cyber operations units, this activity demonstrated several characteristics that distinguish it from another major GRU spear-phishing program known as [redacted].'
Fort Gordon in Georgia houses a cybserspace operation training institution, called the Cyber Center of Excellence.
An unclassified intelligence community report concluded that Russia conducted a campaign during the presidential election 'to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency.'
President Trump has repeatedly railed against leaks, and administration members have called on congressional committees to focus not just on alleged Russian interference, but 'unmasking' of individuals in leaked governments and leak investigations.
'It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the media,' Trump tweeted last week.
Read more:
she's small potatoes and her leaks were about Russia trying to hack election HQ in a handful of states
I want to know who's leaking stuff and creating fake news out of the White House.
I want to know who was wiretapped, who requested the info and who released it
Russia spies on us? tries to undermine us if they can? NO FUCKING SHIT, it's not even news. Just like we do to others as well
I want to know who's leaking stuff and creating fake news out of the White House.
I want to know who was wiretapped, who requested the info and who released it
Russia spies on us? tries to undermine us if they can? NO FUCKING SHIT, it's not even news. Just like we do to others as well
[h=2]First arrest over Trump leaks: Intelligence contractor, 25, with top secret clearance is charged under espionage laws for 'handing classified NSA report on Russian election hacking to website'[/h]
The feds have leveled the first charges against an individual in connection with leaks related to Russian election hacking, charging a 25-year old Georgia contractor with a leak. The government has charged Reality Leah Winner (pictured) with passing secret documents to the media. The Intercept published a document that appeared to show Russian military intelligence conducted a spear phishing cyber attack on an election software company.
[h=3]HOW THE INTERCEPT REPORT COINCIDES WITH CHARGES AGAINST REALITY WINNER[/h]The charges against Reality Winner, 25, coincided with a report by The Intercept that a top secret NSA document revealed efforts by Russian military intelligence to conduct a spear phishing cyber attack on a company and on local voter registration.
'Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate actors … executed cyber espionage operations against a named U.S. company in August 2016, evidently to obtain information on elections-related software and hardware solutions,' according to the document the Intercept published.
'The actors likely used data obtained from that operation to … launch a voter registration-themed spear-phishing campaign targeting U.S. local government organizations.'
The Intercept story states that the documents raise the possibility that Russian-based hackers 'may have breached at least some elements of the voting system,' bringing the investigation of election interference to a new level.
According to the FBI, 'Winner agreed to talk with agents during the execution of the warrant. During that conversation, Winner admitted intentionally identifying and printing the classified intelligence reporting at issue despite not having a 'need to know,' and with knowledge that the intelligence reporting was classified.'
Without a lawyer present, 'Winner further admitted removing the classified intelligence reporting from her office space, retaining it, and mailing it from Augusta, Georgia, to the news outlet, which she knew was not authorized to receive or possess the documents,' according to the government.
An affidavit by an FBI agent in support of an arrest warrant states that on June 1, the FBI was notified by a government agency that it had been contacted by an unnamed news outlet in connection to a story.
After examining the Top Secret document, investigators found pages appeared to be folded or creased – indicating it was printed and carried out of a 'secured space' by hand.
An audit concluded that six individuals had printed the document – including Winner.
Upon being interviewed, Winner admitted printing it without having a 'need to know.'
'Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate actors … executed cyber espionage operations against a named U.S. company in August 2016, evidently to obtain information on elections-related software and hardware solutions,' according to the document the Intercept published.
'The actors likely used data obtained from that operation to … launch a voter registration-themed spear-phishing campaign targeting U.S. local government organizations.'
The Intercept story states that the documents raise the possibility that Russian-based hackers 'may have breached at least some elements of the voting system,' bringing the investigation of election interference to a new level.
According to the FBI, 'Winner agreed to talk with agents during the execution of the warrant. During that conversation, Winner admitted intentionally identifying and printing the classified intelligence reporting at issue despite not having a 'need to know,' and with knowledge that the intelligence reporting was classified.'
Without a lawyer present, 'Winner further admitted removing the classified intelligence reporting from her office space, retaining it, and mailing it from Augusta, Georgia, to the news outlet, which she knew was not authorized to receive or possess the documents,' according to the government.
An affidavit by an FBI agent in support of an arrest warrant states that on June 1, the FBI was notified by a government agency that it had been contacted by an unnamed news outlet in connection to a story.
After examining the Top Secret document, investigators found pages appeared to be folded or creased – indicating it was printed and carried out of a 'secured space' by hand.
An audit concluded that six individuals had printed the document – including Winner.
Upon being interviewed, Winner admitted printing it without having a 'need to know.'
scum bag.
a Twitter account reportedly used by Winner under the handle 'Sara Winners' has several tweets that express her frustration with the Trump administration and retweeted a joke about government leaks.
Winner has also frequently tweeted at the president in recent months.
In response to a Trump tweet about immigrants coming from seven Muslim-majority countries being 'SO DANGEROUS', Winner asked: 'have you ever even met an Iranian?'
After the U.S. Department of Agriculture began blacking out public information, Winner tweeted '#RESISTANCE'.
The 25-year-old who was a Sen. Bernie Sanders supporter also took to Twitter after Trump won the election in November and shared how she was upset.
'I listened to you daily, and your podcast kept me sane,' Winner wrote at the FiveThirtyEight podcast on November 9. 'What the heck #betrayed #disillusioned.'
The 25-year-old who was a Sen. Bernie Sanders supporter also took to Twitter after Trump won the election in November and shared how she was upset.
'I listened to you daily, and your podcast kept me sane,' Winner wrote at the FiveThirtyEight podcast on November 9. 'What the heck #betrayed #disillusioned.'
All you need to know. She is a non player but a useful pawn for the false Russian election hacking consortium.
'I listened to you daily, and your podcast kept me sane,' Winner wrote at the FiveThirtyEight podcast on November 9. 'What the heck #betrayed #disillusioned.'
All you need to know. She is a non player but a useful pawn for the false Russian election hacking consortium.
