{
  "id": 18150998,
  "title": "US gov IT worker pleads guilty to sending Top Secret files to Ethiopia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/us-gov-it-worker-pleads-guilty-to-sending-top-secret-files-to-ethiopia",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-04T15:39:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/11/04/us-gov-it-worker-pleads-guilty-to-sending-top-secret-files-to-ethiopia/5307595"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A US government IT worker, Abraham Teklu Lemma, has confessed to transmitting classified information to Ethiopia, according to prosecutors. The 53-year-old, who worked in multiple federal agencies from 2019 to 2023, pleaded guilty to espionage charges and faces a prison term of 120 to 262 months. Lemma, a naturalized US citizen, had Top Secret clearance and worked in secure facilities, handling sensitive documents. He allegedly copied at least 133 intelligence reports without authorization, burned them onto discs labeled for unclassified material, and took them from the secure facility. Lemma also communicated with Ethiopian officials via encrypted messaging apps, discussing military and geopolitical matters, and encouraging actions against paramilitary groups. He stored copies of classified files on his personal drives, which were accessed remotely by Ethiopian officials. Additionally, Lemma deposited large sums of money at banks without reporting the transactions. The FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division stated that Lemma betrayed the country by providing classified information to foreign officials, serving their military operations.",
  "summary": "Help desk technician agrees to minimum 10-year jail term after being caught copying files for more than 2 years",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}