Classified

U.S. Maintains Crackdown on Leaks

Latest case accuses violation of Espionage Act.

The failure of the case against Thomas Drake seems to have done nothing to damp the Obama administration's desire to prosecute leakers. Next up is Stephen J. Kim, an arms expert who immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea. Kim, 43, was charged last August with violating the Espionage Act for leaking classified information to a Fox News reporter. If convicted, Kim could face 15 years in prison. Critics question the use of the Espionage Act, which they say unfairly associates men like Kim with traitors to their country, rather than media gossipers. The U.S. has investigated five criminal cases under President Obama's administration, while there were only three total under all previous presidents.