NYT Reporter Subpoenaed in CIA Leak Case

Federal prosecutors have issued a subpoena demanding testimony from New York Times reporter James Risen in the case against ex-CIA employee Jeffrey Sterling, who allegedly leaked info about a failed CIA disinformation campaign to him for a 2006 book. A judge has already quashed one subpoena issued to Risen, but prosecutors have argued that journalists have no special protection against testifying, the AP reports.

“Mr. Risen is an eyewitness to those crimes,” prosecutors wrote in their court filing. “Mr. Risen’s testimony, like that of any other citizen in his situation, should therefore be admitted.” Under Department of Justice rules, the attorney general must personally sign off on any subpoena against a reporter. The motion represents the first time Risen’s name has officially been attached to the case; until now, court documents have referred to him as “Author A.” Risen's lawyer confirmed that the journalist will again will ask the judge to quash the subpoena. (More James Risen stories.)