Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Espionage Conviction Of Ex-CIA Programmer Joshua Adam Schulte
Joshua Adam Schulte, a former CIA programmer, was convicted of espionage for stealing and leaking classified cyber tools to WikiLeaks out of resentment, severely compromising U.S. national security and rendering critical intelligence assets useless.
Joshua Adam Schulte, a former CIA programmer with access to top-secret cyber tools, was convicted of espionage for stealing and transmitting classified hacking capabilities to WikiLeaks. The leaked tools, used to surveil terrorist organizations and foreign adversaries, were exposed to the public, crippling U.S. intelligence operations and empowering hostile actors. He was found guilty of transmitting national defense information, unauthorized access to a computer, and related charges in what the U.S. Attorney called one of the most damaging acts of espionage in American history.
Joshua Adam Schulte, a former CIA programmer with access to some of the nation’s most valuable cyber intelligence tools, covertly stole and leaked classified hacking capabilities to WikiLeaks out of resentment toward the agency. The leaked materials included highly sensitive surveillance and cyber-espionage tools used to target terrorist organizations and foreign adversaries, rendering them useless by exposing them to hostile actors. Schulte was fully aware that the disclosure would cause extraordinary damage to U.S. national security, yet proceeded anyway, knowing it would empower adversaries. He was convicted on multiple charges, including espionage and unauthorized access to a computer, in what the U.S. Attorney’s Office described as one of the most brazen and damaging acts of espionage in American history. Although the press release did not specify sentencing or monetary penalties, federal espionage laws carry severe consequences, and Schulte’s actions significantly undermined the CIA’s operational effectiveness. The leak not only compromised ongoing missions but also forced the U.S. intelligence community to rebuild entire cyber capabilities at great cost. This case stands as a landmark example of insider threat and the catastrophic consequences of unauthorized disclosure of classified cyber weapons.
Extracted insights
- person damian williams ×2
- person joshua adam schulte ×2
- organization Central Intelligence Agency
- person cia programmer
- organization Department of Justice
- person nicholas biase
- person resentment toward cia
- organization U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District Of New York
- person Victoria Bosah
- organization WikiLeaks
- Joshua Adam Schulte was CIA Programmer
- Joshua Adam Schulte provided Intelligence-Gathering Cyber Tools to WikiLeaks
- Joshua Adam Schulte convicted for Espionage
- Damian Williams issued statement on Espionage Conviction Of Joshua Adam Schulte
- Joshua Adam Schulte had access to Country's Most Valuable Intelligence-Gathering Cyber Tools
- Joshua Adam Schulte harbored Resentment Toward CIA
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Espionage Conviction Of Ex-CIA Programmer Joshua Adam Schulte Wednesday, July 13, 2022 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Joshua Adam Schulte was a CIA programmer with access to some of the country’s most valuable intelligence-gathering cyber tools used to battle terrorist organizations and other malign influences around the globe. When Schulte began to harbor resentment toward the CIA, he covertly collected those tools and provided them to WikiLeaks, making some of our most critical intelligence tools known to the public – and therefore, our adversaries. Moreover, Schulte was aware that the collateral damage of his retribution could pose an extraordinary threat to this nation if made public, rendering them essentially useless, having a devastating effect on our intelligence community by providing critical intelligence to those who wish to do us harm. Today, Schulte has been convicted for one of the most brazen and damaging acts of espionage in American history. Contact Nicholas Biase Victoria Bosah (212) 637-2600 Updated July 13, 2022 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 22-224
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Espionage Conviction Of Ex-CIA Programmer Joshua Adam Schulte Wednesday, July 13, 2022 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Joshua Adam Schulte was a CIA programmer with access to some of the country’s most valuable intelligence-gathering cyber tools used to battle terrorist organizations and other malign influences around the globe. When Schulte began to harbor resentment toward the CIA, he covertly collected those tools and provided them to WikiLeaks, making some of our most critical intelligence tools known to the public – and therefore, our adversaries. Moreover, Schulte was aware that the collateral damage of his retribution could pose an extraordinary threat to this nation if made public, rendering them essentially useless, having a devastating effect on our intelligence community by providing critical intelligence to those who wish to do us harm. Today, Schulte has been convicted for one of the most brazen and damaging acts of espionage in American history. Contact Nicholas Biase Victoria Bosah (212) 637-2600 Updated July 13, 2022 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 22-224