Commenter Unknown has expressed a concern that I suspect is shared by many:
Today, Judicial Watch reported that 14 FBI officials were referred to OPR for leaking classified or sensitive information to the media. Four were terminated and none (to date) have been prosecuted.
I blame myself to some extent for not having addressed this concern in the past. It's an area of law that is little understood by persons who don't deal with it for a living.
Is there an easy answer to the question: Is It A Crime To Leak Classified Information?
The answer is: Yes.
Or: No.
What criminal statute covers the leaking of classified information? OK, that question really does have an easy answer: 18 U.S. Code § 798. Disclosure of classified information. According to this statute,
