Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

United States Files Civil Lawsuit against Edward Snowden for Publishing a Book (tr)
justice.gov ^ | 9/17/19 | DOJ

Posted on 09/17/2019 4:47:52 PM PDT by ransomnote

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 17, 2019

United States Files Civil Lawsuit against Edward Snowden for Publishing a Book in Violation of CIA and NSA Non-Disclosure Agreements

The United States today filed a lawsuit against Edward Snowden, a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), who published a book entitled Permanent Record in violation of the non-disclosure agreements he signed with both CIA and NSA.

The lawsuit alleges that Snowden published his book without submitting it to the agencies for pre-publication review, in violation of his express obligations under the agreements he signed. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Snowden has given public speeches on intelligence-related matters, also in violation of his non-disclosure agreements.

The United States’ lawsuit does not seek to stop or restrict the publication or distribution of Permanent Record. Rather, under well-established Supreme Court precedent, Snepp v. United States, the government seeks to recover all proceeds earned by Snowden because of his failure to submit his publication for pre-publication review in violation of his alleged contractual and fiduciary obligations. 

The lawsuit also names as nominal defendants the corporate entities involved in publishing Snowden’s book. The United States is suing the publisher solely to ensure that no funds are transferred to Snowden, or at his direction, while the court resolves the United States’ claims. Snowden is currently living outside of the United States. 

“Edward Snowden has violated an obligation he undertook to the United States when he signed agreements as part of his employment by the CIA and as an NSA contractor,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The United States’ ability to protect sensitive national security information depends on employees’ and contractors’ compliance with their non-disclosure agreements, including their pre-publication review obligations. This lawsuit demonstrates that the Department of Justice does not tolerate these breaches of the public’s trust.  We will not permit individuals to enrich themselves, at the expense of the United States, without complying with their pre-publication review obligations.”

“Intelligence information should protect our nation, not provide personal profit,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This lawsuit will ensure that Edward Snowden receives no monetary benefits from breaching the trust placed in him.”

This lawsuit is separate from the criminal charges brought against Snowden for his alleged disclosures of classified information. This lawsuit is a civil action, and based solely on Snowden’s failure to comply with the clear pre-publication review obligations included in his signed non-disclosure agreements. 

This matter is being handled by the Department of Justice’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. 

The claims asserted by the United States are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

Attachment(s): 
Component(s): 
Press Release Number: 
19-988


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: bookdeals; china; cia; conyers; espionage; frederickschwarz; irandeal; nsa; russia; snowden; spies; spooks; turncoats; ukraine; waronthensa; williamgreenmiller
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-31 last
To: DesertRhino
"Meanwhile...Hillary and all the coup conspirators walk free. That’s out Dept of “Justice”."

That’s our Dept of “Just - us!”

Fixed it. /s

21 posted on 09/17/2019 10:38:58 PM PDT by Stanwood_Dave ("Testilying." Cop's lie, only while testifying, as taught in their respected Police Academy(s).)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Jumper

“” “” Snowmen will go to prison for life... fleeing thru China to Russia. He is literally a dead man walking. If you think he is some kind of whistleblower you are wrong.”” “”

Many times over Snowden said that he wasn’t planning to stay in Russia but it was the US government nullified his passport while he was in transit in a Russian Airport en-route. It is factually true.

It is clear he is not coming back and good luck with enforcing the court rule if it would be in place.


22 posted on 09/18/2019 12:15:57 AM PDT by NorseViking
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Lurkina.n.Learnin

How is taking over million secret files to China and Russia helping? A lot of things are secret for very good reasons.


23 posted on 09/18/2019 4:23:35 AM PDT by Krosan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: cgbg
The problem is that the NSA and their contractors were and almost certainly still are spying on Americans, and are lying about it, or trading intelligence with foreign nations that do it—if that is legal it shouldn’t be, and if it is not every last one of them belongs in jail. So, in my eyes, Snowden is the hero and the NSA and its contractors are the traitors.

He is the Sgt. Calley of this whole Spygate scandal. He is the low-level guy who went crazy and "shot up the place", while the "generals" who set up the thing that drove him crazy walk free.

24 posted on 09/18/2019 6:39:25 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. --Douglas MacArthur)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Jumper

The NSA and the other intelligence agencies are still spying on Americans and/or swapping intelligence with foreign agencies who do the same.

Those who _fail_ to blow the whistle on them are the traitors.


25 posted on 09/18/2019 7:29:00 AM PDT by cgbg (Democracy dies in darkness when Bezos bans books.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: cgbg

A lot of people turning traitor have had justified grievances, but giving US secrets to China and Russia isn’t going to help to change things for the better. It’s the story of naive commie idealists participating in revolutions, betraying their countries and being the first ones against the wall once the real commies gained power.


26 posted on 09/18/2019 8:11:44 AM PDT by Krosan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Krosan

Nice theory—but just imagine you worked for the NSA or some other intelligence agency and you uncover proof of law-breaking or spying on innocent Americans.

What is your plan?

(Remember—if you pick incorrectly your life is over...)

Leaving the country (at a minimum) is a necessity if you plan to blow the whistle.

Then the only question is—where will you be safe?


27 posted on 09/18/2019 8:21:12 AM PDT by cgbg (Democracy dies in darkness when Bezos bans books.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: cgbg

He stole 1.7 million secret documents and gave these to China and Russia to use as they will. He gave 200,000 of these documents to some journalists and these also contain a lot of info outside of revealing any wrongdoing. That is treason not whistleblowing.


28 posted on 09/18/2019 9:16:26 AM PDT by Krosan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Lurkina.n.Learnin

He prefers life under Vladimir Putin to trusting our Deep State.

Let that sink in for a moment.


29 posted on 09/18/2019 10:16:02 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog (Patrick Henry would have been an anti-vaxxer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: cgbg

Nope. Sorry. If you feel that go get a job with a security clearance... You will lose both the clearance and the job at your review for this statement.


30 posted on 09/18/2019 5:14:17 PM PDT by Jumper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote; poinq; CBGB; Albion Wilde
Good afternoon!

This should probably be posted as its own thread, but I am too busy with work.

Snowden's web interview with Joe Rogan from 2 days ago is over 2-1/2 hours long, but is incredible. I have watched a ton of Joe Rogan podcasts and I have to say he interrupted Snowden less than any one I've ever seen.

A striking comment to me was when Snowden said (paraphrasing): “What would it take for you, to take a match, and burn your life to the ground?”

This is currently the #3 trending video on YouTube with about 6.2 million views since it was posted on Oct. 23rd.

Joe Rogan Experience #1368 - Edward Snowden

31 posted on 10/25/2019 10:49:15 AM PDT by Constitution Day (Stay frosty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-31 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson