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A United States Air Force contractor has been arrested for allegedly sharing classified information about Russian military capabilities to his online Ukrainian girlfriend.
David Franklin Slater, 63, of Nebraska, held top secret security clearance from August 2021 to April 2022, before retiring.
He was based at Offutt Air Force Base, home of the CSR Battle Deck for the U.S. Strategic Command’s new Command and Control Facility.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G Olsen said: ‘As alleged, Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets.
‘The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information.’
Slater attended multiple briefings between February and April 2022 regarding the war in Ukraine.
His ‘girlfriend’ often asked for sensitive information, some of which was classified and labeled as secret.
Bizarre messages from Slater’s ‘Ukrainian’ online girlfriend show she was very interested in the war and Slater’s knowledge of it.
Messages sent to Air Force contractor by 'girlfriend'
‘American Intelligence says that already 100% of Russian troops are located on the territory of Ukraine. Do you think this information can be trusted?’
‘Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting.’
‘By the way, you were the first to tell me that NATO members are traveling by train and only now (already evening) this was announced on our news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?’
‘Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us?’
U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska said of the situation: ‘Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to Top Secret information.
‘The allegations against Mr. Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities.’
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office added: ‘When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation’s intelligence, they put our country at risk’.
If Slater is convicted, he could face 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 per count of conspiracy.
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