Md. Contractor In NSA Case Again Appears In Court
GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ) -- Growing concerns about what was in the massive stash of top-secret government documents found in an Anne Arundel County home. The former NSA contractor accused of stealing them again appeared in court, fighting for his freedom.
Hal Martin is already accused of the largest theft of top-secret government documents in history, stockpiling them over 20 years at his home in Glen Burnie.
Now the government says the security breach could be much worse than originally thought, telling a federal judge there's a vast ongoing investigation into exactly what Martin stole and what he did with it.
The judge ordered Martin held, in his second hearing in a week.
Martin's lawyer would not comment, but in court again argued his client is simply a hoarder with no intent to harm the country.
The government now says Martin stole documents that included the names of covert CIA agents working overseas, putting their lives in danger.
He worked for Booz Allen Hamilton -- the same government contractor as fugitive Edward Snowden.
In a statement to WJZ, Booz Allen spokesman Craig Veith said:
"We fired Harold Martin as soon as we learned of his arrest, and we have been fully cooperating with the FBI's investigation... We are committed to doing our part to detect potential insider threats, which are complex and constantly evolving."
The judge was tough on Martin, calling him an unknown quantity, saying: "We have no idea who we're dealing with here."
Martin's wife has stood by his side -- even turning in a zip drive of possible classified information she found in her husband's car that FBI investigators missed.
A key question remains -- how was Martin able to walk away for years with top-secret documents without getting caught?
Booz Allen Hamilton has hired an independent investigator, former FBI director Robert Mueller, to review their security policies and personnel policies.
"This external review is the right thing to do: We are an organization that prides itself on constant learning. If there are areas where Booz Allen can improve, we will address them," Veith added in the statement.
Martin's lawyer says his client is ashamed and remorseful.
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