A former contract linguist for the FBI, Samuel Shamai Leibowitz, was sentenced to prison for 20 months for leaking classified documents. Leibowitz, a grandson of the late Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz, was found guilty of passing classified documents to an unidentified blogger, who then released them. The 40-year-old resident of Silver Springs Maryland had a very high level security clearance, permitting him access to classified documents.

Assistant US District Attorney for National Security David Kris stated �the willful disclosure of classified information to those not entitled to the information� is a most serious offense, adding he hopes this case will deter others who might consider compromising America�s security in the future.�

FBI agent Richard McFeely stated that Leibowitz �abused� his authority as one who held very high level clearance, using his authority to advance his own agenda.

In addition to the jail term, he will be subject to a three year period during which he will remain under supervision.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)