The FBI arrested a Washington, D.C., man on Friday over allegations that he leaked national defense information while working as a government contractor for the CIA.
The Department of Justice alleged Ian A. Brinksman, 42, leaked information to his “romantic partner” with the knowledge that that person intended to publish the information. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency referred the former contractor to the FBI.
“The FBI arrested the subject after he was caught allegedly betraying his oath and leaking classified defense information,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
“Protecting America’s secrets is a top counterintelligence priority of this FBI – and anyone caught abusing their position of trust within the government by jeopardizing national security and putting our brave warriors at risk will be met with the full weight of justice,” Patel continued.
According to the affidavit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brinksman held a top secret security clearance and had a relationship with a woman who has a page on Substack, the online publishing platform. The affidavit points to classified reports Brinksman accessed, communications he had with the writer he was seeing, and articles on the Substack that contained “certain content similar to” the classified reports he accessed.
“As alleged, Brinksman reached far outside his own duties to obtain some of our Nation’s most closely held secrets and handed them to a romantic partner he knew intended to publish them,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in a statement.
FORMER FBI OFFICIALS CHARGED WITH LYING TO CONGRESS ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATIONS
Brinksman’s partner with the Substack page wrote on social media, according to the affidavit, “I also accept leaks.”
Brinksman was charged with unlawfully transmitting national defense information and arrested Friday.