"Mershon criticized the "unknown individual" who leaked the story to the Daily News, saying it "greatly complicated" what had been smooth relationships with foreign intelligence services."
The plot involved rail tunnels but the first leaker said "Holland Tunnel". A clue to the leaker's identity? Sounds like the leaker didn't have a sophisticated knowledge of the plot, but mentioned a widely known tunnel. Did that person also add the dumb embellishment about flooding the financial district?
Smells like a politician. Schumer?
P.S. In a lot of stories a taut quote from Schumer accompanies the text. Connection?