Contractor for the Pentagon Charged With Disclosing Secret Information

Government Contractor Indicted for Leaking Classified Information

Aurelio Luis Pérez-Lugones, a government contractor, was indicted on Thursday for allegedly leaking sensitive information to a reporter from the Washington Post. The charges include six felony counts under the Espionage Act, with five counts involving the unlawful transmission of classified data and one count for unlawful retention of national defense information, as stated by the Department of Justice.

Following these alleged leaks, the FBI conducted a search at the home of Post reporter Hannah Natanson on January 14, seizing some of her items. The Justice Department reports that between October 2025 and January 2026, Pérez-Lugones accessed, printed, or copied classified reports and sent this information to Natanson, who subsequently contributed at least five articles that included classified details during that timeframe.

The Justice Department claims Pérez-Lugones navigated databases with classified materials without authorization, accessing intelligence reports deemed top secret, some concerning foreign nations. He reportedly took screenshots of these reports and inserted them into documents.

On January 8, federal agents searched Pérez-Lugones’ residence and vehicle, discovering several labeled “confidential” documents. A lunch box containing one of these documents was located in his car, and another document was found in the basement. Allegedly, Pérez-Lugones even sent Natanson photos of classified materials, along with a message hinting that he might go silent to gauge reactions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked, “The unlawful disclosure of classified defense information is a grave crime against the United States, jeopardizing national security and the safety of our military personnel.” She emphasized that the Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding classified information.

Reports suggest authorities saw Pérez-Lugones reviewing national defense data at his workplace and printing it from his cubicle. He is also believed to have removed his name from documents before leaving the office.