Thomas Drake

Former NSA official Thomas Drake accepted a misdemeanor plea agreement for exceeding his authorized use of a government computer. The Department of Justice had been pursuing Drake for alleged violations of the Espionage Act that might have sent him to prison for up to 35 years. But the government withdrew the evidence supporting several of the central charges after a judge ruled Drake would not be able to defend himself unless the government revealed details about one of the National Security Agency’s telecommunications collection programs.

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Past Shows:

  • Government Whistleblowers

    George Knapp was joined, in the first hour, by Academy Award nominated director James Spione, who discussed his film Silenced, which deals with Washington's increasingly draconian response to whistleblowers, and the devastating personal toll on those who've questioned official...More »
  • NSA Whistleblower

    George Knapp was joined by former senior executive of the NSA, Thomas Drake (related article), who discussed his decision to blow the whistle on the agency's Trailblazer Project and illegal spying operations, which led to his being charged under the Espionage Act.More »

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