Ex-CIA officer convicted in leak case is sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison. In light of a similar recent case, how is this appropriate?

2015-05-12T04:11:15-04:00

Recently, Gen. David H. Petraeus, who gave his mistress and biographer access to classified materials, was sentenced to two years of probation and a $100,000 fine. Thus, my question concerning the appropriateness of the sentence in this more recent case ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/ex-cia-officer-convicted-in-leak-case-sentenced-to-3-12-years-in-prison/2015/05/11/fc5427a6-f5a0-11e4-84a6-6d7c67c50db0_story.html?tid=HP_more?tid=HP_more

Ex-CIA officer convicted in leak case sentenced to 3 years in prison

Prosecutors asked that Jeffrey Sterling face a “severe” penalty; defense wanted punishment in line with other recent cases.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 5:35 AM

2015-05-12T05:35:37-04:00

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad. Huge difference . . . this guy and others leaked with specific intent for their leaks to be published . . . disclosing the identities of informants (sources and methods) to the public and enemies, and attempted to use their special access to change administration policy. General Petraeus was working on his biography with no intention to publish without pre-publication CIA security review and no one, source, or method was ever compromised to the press, public, or enemy. Sandy

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 5:53 AM

2015-05-12T05:53:11-04:00

No, willingness to disseminate to the enemy? High treason.

Response by SPC David S. made May 12 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-05-12T10:16:45-04:00

Being that Mr. Sterling admitted no wrong doing in the disclosing of the identity of an asset in which he was the case handler for had some bearing on the length of his sentence. While he could have faced 20 years for violations of the Espionage Act I think this case should be used to highlight the consequences of leaks from the intelligence community and in the dangers in having relationships with media sources. Mr. Sterling's attorney, Edward McMahon stated he plans to appeal. As for GEN Petraeus he sought review from intelligence agencies - big difference.