“Just like the CIA primary mission is to protect the Agency, the New York Time primary mission is to protect the Time. And so when this hit the fan — so to speak — Jeffrey was on his own.”

Former CIA John Kiriakou

Former CIA John Kiriakou

Jeffrey Alexander Sterling is an American lawyer and former CIA employee who was arrested, charged, and convicted of violating the Espionage Act for revealing details about Operation Merlin to journalist James Risen. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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In May 2015, Sterling was sentenced to 3½ years in prison and thus set for release in 2018.

Dubious Case

The reporter, James Risen, refused to identify his sources, and Holly maintains her husband’s innocence saying,

“Special Agent Ashley Hunt on cross-examine stated that fact, that there was absolutely no email records, no phone call records; no one had witnessed the two being together exchanging classified information.”

Instead, she [Holly Sterling] believes his incarceration is due to politics within the CIA that may be race related. Jeffrey filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the CIA in 2000, but the issue was squashed in 2005 when:

“the government invoked state secrecy privilege stating that he could not have his day in court because it would be too detrimental and they would have to expose state secrets for Jeffrey to prove he had been discriminated against.”

The New York Time

According to Kiriakou,

‘The New York Time really had an opportunity to rally support around Jeffrey Sterling and instead they circled the wagon around James Risen.’

Online Petition

A website has been set up to keep people informed. It is possible to make a donation to help Jeffrey’s family to ease the on-going financial burdens they face. The fund has already received $80,000.

RELATED POST: Prison Officials Respond to CIA Whistleblower Jeffrey Sterling’s Health Complaint

There is also an ONLINE PETITION to support a request to pardon Jeffrey Sterling.

Please join me and the coalition of organizations led by Reporters without Borders, RootsAction and ExposeFacts in my request to the Obama Administration to immediately issue a pardon for my husband.

An innocent man who dedicated his life to serving the United States has been wrongfully jailed under President Obama’s watch. This is his opportunity to show Jeffrey, our country, and the world what it means to be a true leader by acknowledging and making amends for a grave injustice that has been done. This can only be accomplished by granting Jeffrey Alexander Sterling an immediate pardon.

Jeffrey and I will not give up hope that many will soon realize the wrong that has been done and will help to make sure that Jeffrey will be vindicated. I will not cease discussing this tragedy in hopes that it will garner enough support for his release.

Please sign my petition and share it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using #pardonforjeffrey as a way to help.

Thank you. Holly Sterling

INTERVIEW

REFERENCES

CIA whistleblower Jeffrey Sterling not receiving lifesaving healthcare in prison (VIDEO)

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Former CIA John Kiriakou Explains The Jeffrey Sterling Case (VIDEO)