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Sandy Berger appointed CIA officer fired for leak
WorldNetDaily ^ | 4/22/06 | WND staff

Posted on 04/22/2006 4:22:36 AM PDT by pookie18

McCarthy served as assistant to Clinton, senior director for intelligence programs

WASHINGTON – A CIA officer fired for leaking classified information was appointed as special assistant to President Clinton and senior director for intelligence programs by former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, who pleaded guilty to stealing highly classified documents.

Mary McCarthy

Mary O'Neil McCarthy was fired Thursday for reportedly leaking classified information that contributed to a Washington Post report about alleged secret CIA prisons in Eastern Europe.

She most recently worked for the CIA inspector general's office and served as a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Public records show McCarthy, a veteran CIA officer, had served as a special assistant to Clinton and, later, President Bush – a tenure that stretched from 1998 to 2001. She testified to the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks.

The CIA acknowledged the dismissal of an officer over a media leak is extremely rare. It resulted from a 3-month investigation.

The Washington Post report in November about secret CIA prisons for terrorism suspects prompted an international controversy over U.S. detainee policies and also won a Pulitzer Prize.

The CIA would not say what the leak involved, and declined to identify the officer or describe the officer's duties at the agency, saying that such disclosures would violate the Privacy Act of 1974.

"This CIA officer acknowledged having unauthorized discussions with the media in which the officer knowingly shared classified intelligence, including operational information," CIA spokeswoman Michele Neff said.

Neff said the officer's actions violated a secrecy agreement that CIA employees sign when they begin working for the agency.

The Washington Post reported that the CIA operated a network of secret prisons for terrorism suspects in countries overseas, including Eastern Europe. The report spawned a number of investigations in Europe that have yet to produce definitive evidence that the secret prisons existed.

McCarthy succeeded Rand Beers in the job of special assistant to the president and senior director for intelligence programs. Ironically, she was named to the position by Berger, who pleaded guilty last fall to stealing classified information from the National Archives while preparing Clinton to testify to the 9-11 commission.

Sandy Berger

Last September, a judge ordered Berger to pay a $50,000 fine for his crime. Berger avoided prison time under the punishment handed down by U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson.

In addition to the fine, which exceeded the $10,000 recommended by government lawyers, he was prohibited from access to classified government materials for three years.

"The court finds the fine is inadequate because it doesn't reflect the seriousness of the offense," Robinson said as Berger stood before her.

During the hearing, Berger described his crime as a lapse of judgment.

"I let considerations of personal convenience override clear rules of handling classified material," Berger said. "I believe this lapse, serious as it is, does not reflect the character of myself. In this case, I failed. I will not again."

The stolen documents were copies of highly secret memoranda, possibly with handwritten notes, that allegedly were critical of the Clinton administration's response to the "Millennium 2000" terror plot to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport.

Berger, who was an adviser to the presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry when the scandal broke, has held multiple national security jobs since the Carter administration and recently was a foreign policy adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Public records show that McCarthy contributed $2,000 in 2004 to the presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic nominee.

Berger initially said he took copies of the classified documents regarding terrorism from the National Archives by "accident" and then misplaced them in what he described as an "honest mistake." He later admitted, however, that after pilfering the documents, he destroyed three of the five with scissors at the office of his consulting firm.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: berger; cia; cialeakerexposed; clintonistas; leak; leakgate; leaks; marymccarthy; sandyberger; sandyburglar; traitors; wilson; x42
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To: bonfire
Let's see what happens with this latest "leak". Maybe this will be the straw that broke the camel's back. We can hope.

That's my point.

The president's first and greatest mistake was coming to Washington hoping to be a peacemaker.

He forgot or didn't know (either way a major blunder) that the democratic party, loaded with Marxists and other assorted Anti-American lunatics, didn't want comity. They want only the power that they believe (incorrectly) that they're entitled to.

Entitled ~ democratic concept.
101 posted on 04/22/2006 7:01:00 AM PDT by Beckwith (The liberal media has picked sides and they've sided with the Jihadists.)
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To: pookie18
"In this case, I failed. I will not again."

"In this case, I got caught. I will not again."

102 posted on 04/22/2006 7:05:01 AM PDT by rimtop56
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To: pookie18
It says Berger was recently foreign policy advisor to Hillary Clinton. First I've heard that. Hmm...I think they meant to say Kerry.

The three years without the security clearance will be up in 2008. Amazing!!

Or is he already working for Hillary...pro bono of course!!

103 posted on 04/22/2006 7:06:17 AM PDT by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
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To: pookie18

Don't you get it? "Republicans" will let everyone in national politics walk. It's payback for impeaching Clinton.


104 posted on 04/22/2006 7:07:33 AM PDT by manwiththehands (Lead, follow or shut up.)
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To: tobyhill

The President can declassify information by simply stating something in a press conference. He does not have to ask permission from anyone. He can also put out disinformation to an enemy. He can delegate a leak without permission.


105 posted on 04/22/2006 7:09:44 AM PDT by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
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To: Recon Dad

I share much of your frustration, but remember this woman got fired for leaking - an admittedly rare occurence. I think GW's main problem (leaving illegal aliens and rampant spending aside) is that he does not trumpet his successes and leaves even the well-informed among us with the impression that there are no successes. If he were half as good as clinton at blowing his own horn, his popularity ratings would be high. ...for what it's worth.


106 posted on 04/22/2006 7:11:36 AM PDT by SuzyQue
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To: Beckwith
I would argue that you misunderstand the process. There is a problem in the Senate. We do not control the Senate. The action then must be controlled by what is possible.

You whine like a three year old because the President doesn't kiss your ass and do all you demand when you demand it.

You forget there are others involved with opinions as strong as yours. The President obviously doesn't support your radical ideas about the illeagals.

It should be obvious that your view of tossing out all the illlegals is not popular and will not prevail. There will be a solution to the border security issue and a corresponding guest worker program. The details are in process of determination.

Regarding anger, it is inappropriate. To assume all problems can be solved on your time schedule is ludircrous. Develop a little patience and relax and enjoy the process.

I have posted the quote many times......"at a time and place of my choosing" W

107 posted on 04/22/2006 7:11:36 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. Slay Pinch)
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To: pookie18

When, pray tell, is someone going to actually go to JAIL for this crap?


108 posted on 04/22/2006 7:14:26 AM PDT by Bigun (IRS sucks @getridof it.com)
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To: Recon Dad
Couldn't agree more. Putting his close friend Brown in charge of FEMA was a terrible mistake. Katrina was a public relations nightmare for Conservatives. Conservatives want the borders closed NOW. Bush runs around wearing a sombrero and licking Fox's ass. I can't fault him on National Defense, but let's face it those moron prison guards didn't help with their photos.

You know that every sleazoid mexican is a sure vote for the DEMONcrats. This country is quickly decaying into a third world welfare haven and we're the guys who'll pay for it!

109 posted on 04/22/2006 7:18:11 AM PDT by Doc Savage (Of all these things you can be sure, only love...will endure.......................)
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To: pookie18
What else is new! As if informed Americans did not know what the Klintons did to our national security and what the leftovers are still doing now. Why is this a big surprise?
110 posted on 04/22/2006 7:20:33 AM PDT by jetson (throne)
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To: bonfire
I'd say all her phone calls and computer data have been monitored and videos of her movements date back several months.....at least.

You can hear Goss singing:

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary...How do your loyalties flow?"

Your garden seems weedy. Your calls seem seedy.

Pretty soon we'll know".

I'm starting to think about the judge from NSA?? that resigned (without explanation) when Rockefeller pulled his two year old letter to Cheney out of a safe.

111 posted on 04/22/2006 7:20:48 AM PDT by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
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To: Ronin
"Can you say 900 FBI files? "

Try 2100.

112 posted on 04/22/2006 7:25:15 AM PDT by MonroeDNA (Look for the union label--on the bat crashing through your windshield!)
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To: Sacajaweau

I think it was a FISA Judge... his name was Robinson(?). Big 'stinkin lib.


113 posted on 04/22/2006 7:28:16 AM PDT by johnny7 (“Nah, I ain’t Jewish, I just don’t dig on swine, that’s all.”)
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To: hershey
"Bingo, Hill still has those 900 FBI files, plus God knows what else."

2100, actually, stored in a database called WHoDB. Hopefully some genious freeper hacker 16 year old will find it and crack it.

114 posted on 04/22/2006 7:28:39 AM PDT by MonroeDNA (Look for the union label--on the bat crashing through your windshield!)
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To: tomnbeverly

"How did the GOP let this one get away...."

It's almost as if they didn't want him caught or Clinton damaged. After all, Bill is Poppy Bush's new son.


115 posted on 04/22/2006 7:30:12 AM PDT by dljordan
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To: Beckwith

Thanks for your reply. I now have my ANSWER!

LLS


116 posted on 04/22/2006 7:30:36 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: Bigun
When will these bad folks go to jail??

When the judges aren't Dems and the jury isn't in an all Dem district!!!! Fitz vs Libby is a good example.

117 posted on 04/22/2006 7:32:51 AM PDT by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
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To: johnny7

Thanks...FISA....somehow these agencies are connected and I believe under NSA...but it's still early and my mind is pretty blank.


118 posted on 04/22/2006 7:35:56 AM PDT by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
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To: bert
You whine like a three year old because the President doesn't kiss your ass and do all you demand when you demand it.

If you think you can provoke me with your childish simile, forget it.

I simply expect the people we vote for to do their job.

Now for the rest of your rant.

"We do not control the Senate."

What planet do you live on, because you are extremely misinformed about the US Senate.

We (the Republicans) do, in fact, control the Senate. There are 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and 1 Independent (Marxist). But it doesn't matter, since the leadership is worthless.

The Republicans also control the House and the governship 60% of the states. And they are stymied by the Dems at every turn.

You also attribute to me a statement/position I (a regular poster) have never have suggested or supported "your view of tossing out all the illlegals is not popular and will not prevail" and I defy you to find any such statement posted by me.

Do you have any idea how arrogant the following statement is? Regarding anger, it is inappropriate

Maybe for a girly-man buster, but not for me.
119 posted on 04/22/2006 7:37:21 AM PDT by Beckwith (The liberal media has picked sides and they've sided with the Jihadists.)
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To: Beckwith

***Bush is a damned eunuch and he is wrong as rain about illegal immigration.

I am sorry as hell I ever voted for the weenie bastard.***

I realize that voting records are sealed. In your case, that's just too bad.


120 posted on 04/22/2006 7:43:11 AM PDT by kitkat (The first step down to hell is to deny the existence of evil.)
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