DOJ Indicting Ex-Senate Intelligence Aide for Leaking to Media Draws Journalist Criticisms
Federal law enforcement arresting former Senate Intelligence Committee Security Director James Wolfe on charges he lied to FBI agents about his contact with three reporters, including via encrypted messaging apps, drew widespread condemnation from journalists Friday. Radio Television Digital News…
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Association Executive Director Dan Shelley said the officials “declared open season on journalists in their attempts to stop leaks of sensitive information.” Society of Professional Journalists National President Rebecca Baker said DOJ’s seizure of reporters’ records creates “a chilling effect between sources and journalists that prevents anyone concerned with the actions of their government from raising concerns.” The National Press Club and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers said they are seeking a meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “The real victims are members of the American public who benefit from the information made possible by the work of reporters -- work that has been jeopardized by overly intrusive efforts to stop leaks,” said NPC President Andrea Edney. Wolfe disclosed he had a romantic relationship with one of the reporters but denied he disclosed information to another, but phone and email records reveal Wolfe “exchanged tens of thousands of electronic communications” with that reporter, said DOJ's indictment in U.S. District Court in Washington. The charges against Wolfe “do not appear to include anything related to the mishandling of classified information,” but Senate Intelligence “takes this matter extremely seriously,” said committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., in a statement. "We trust the justice system to act appropriately and ensure due process as this case unfolds.”