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Press Release 07/27/98


Statement by George J. Tenet
Director of Central Intelligence

No. 08-98
July 27, 1998

Former CIA employee, Douglas F. Groat, pled guilty today in federal court to charges of attempted extortion. Mr. Groat's arrest and his subsequent plea demonstrate that the U.S. Government will take action against those individuals who would violate the nation's trust by attempting to blackmail the government by threatening to disclose secrets.

On behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency, I would like to thank the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Columbia and the FBI for their efforts to bring the prosecution of Mr. Groat to a successful conclusion.