Closed Hearings Planned In NSA Leaks Case
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Closed hearings are being held this week ahead of the trial of a former National Security Agency employee accused of mishandling classified information.
Thomas Drake is charged with violating espionage laws without being accused of spying. Instead, he's accused of shredding documents, deleting files from his computer and lying to investigators. Supporters claim he's being punished for blowing the whistle on inefficiencies and mismanagement at the NSA.
Federal Public Defender James Wyda says the hearings scheduled to begin Tuesday will address how the court will handle classified evidence at the trial set to begin in June. They will also address whether substitutions can be made so classified matters can be discussed in a public courtroom.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
