Allegations Against US Stratcom Employee

A former US Stratcom employee, David Franklin Slater, faces allegations of passing top-secret information about the Russia-Ukraine war to a woman he met on a foreign dating site.

Legal Proceedings

Slater, a 63-year-old retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, pleaded not guilty to charges of providing classified material to the woman, purportedly from Ukraine. He was taken into custody but granted conditional release under strict terms, including GPS monitoring and surrendering his passport.

Details of the Indictment

According to an indictment unsealed recently, Slater began working at the US Strategic Command in Nebraska in August 2021. By February 2022, he gained access to classified briefings concerning Russia’s actions against Ukraine, marked as Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information.

Alleged Transmission of Classified Information

Prosecutors claim Slater communicated with the woman via email and messaging platforms, where she repeatedly requested information about his job. Despite his oath to safeguard classified data, Slater allegedly shared sensitive details about military targets and Russian capabilities related to the Ukraine conflict.

Charges and Potential Penalties

Slater faces charges of Conspiracy to Disclose National Defense Information and Unauthorized Disclosure of National Defense Information. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, along with supervised release and hefty fines.

Messages Revealed in Court Documents

In exchanges presented as evidence, the woman affectionately referred to Slater as her “secret informant love” and sought updates on US actions regarding Ukraine. She also inquired about Slater’s work environment and the nature of the information displayed in the “special room.”

Conclusion

The Department of Justice condemned Slater’s alleged actions, emphasizing the grave breach of national security. Despite attempts to reach Slater for comment, no response was received.

Slater’s case underscores the potential risks associated with mishandling classified information and highlights the importance of upholding security protocols, especially in sensitive government positions.