Friday, June 17, 2022

Espionage Act: PEUtraeus vs. Assange


WikiLeaks Julian Assange has been slated for extradition to the U.S. for espionage.  The British government approved turning Assange over to American authorities.  

Consider the Espionage Act's recent history:

For years, the Espionage Act prosecutions have only been for low-level officials, while the heads of federal agencies leak with impunity.  For example, current CIA director John Brennan, former CIA director Leon Panetta, and former CIA general counsel John Rizzo are just three of many high-ranking government officials who have gotten off with little to no punishment despite the fact we know they’ve leaked information to the media that the government considers classified.

Private equity underwriter (PEU) KKR hired David Petraeus in 2013 to head KKR's Global Institute. 

In 2015 General Petraeus avoided felony charges under the Espionage Act for leaking confidential information to his girlfriend.  The recipient of leaked information (Petreaus' girlfriend) was not charged.

If only The Carlyle Group had acquired WikiLeaks as part of its technology holdings.  Assange might be a free man like David Petraeus.  

As Petraeus himself once said after CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou was convicted for leaking: "There are indeed consequences for those who believe they are above the laws." 

Some don't just believe, they know.  The greed and leverage boys sponsor the politicians who make the laws.  There's a reason may PEU founders are called "policy making billionaires."

Former CIA Chief Leon Panetta spoke at a Carlyle Group annual investor meeting prior to his appointment by President Obama, who dined many times with Carlyle co-founder David Rubenstein.  

Politicians Red and Blue love PEU and increasingly, more are one.