Updated

Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 29

Pentagon Refers Ousted Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia for Prosecution in Leak Case After 32-Year Career

Updated

Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 29

Pentagon Refers Ousted Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia for Prosecution in Leak Case After 32-Year Career

Q: What evidence led the Pentagon to remove Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and send an alleged leak case to the Justice Department?

The Pentagon has not publicly presented the evidence it says justified Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia’s removal, so the factual answer is that the case rests on an internal investigation whose details remain largely undisclosed. What is on the record is that Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said an “extensive” Air Force Office of Special Investigations inquiry led the department to take personnel action to protect sensitive information and to refer the matter to the Justice Department. The Pentagon has not publicly identified the specific leaked material or released documents, transcripts or other proof. What has surfaced through unnamed defense officials is more specific but unconfirmed by formal public evidence. Those officials told several news outlets that Sylvia was suspected of disclosing classified information involving the Iran war, the Russia-Ukraine war and other national-security matters. They also alleged that he met reporters outside the Pentagon after tighter media-access rules were imposed, and that he failed three polygraph examinations focused on leaking classified information. Those claims appear to be the main basis described in reporting, but they remain allegations. Colleagues said Sylvia denied leaking classified information. As of now, the Pentagon has offered only the broad explanation that an internal leak investigation found enough cause to remove him and seek possible prosecution, without publicly showing the underlying evidence.

3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 29

The Pentagon said Thursday it sent an alleged classified-leak case tied to ousted Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia to the Justice Department after an “extensive” internal investigation.
Sean Parnell said Sylvia’s removal was needed to protect sensitive information, but the Pentagon has released no public evidence; a colleague said Sylvia denied leaking classified material while acknowledging past contacts with journalists.
The referral appears to be Pete Hegseth’s first attempt to seek prosecution of a senior uniformed officer and comes amid a broader anti-leak crackdown that has used polygraphs and swept up dozens of officers.
Gen. Dan Caine’s staff first thanked Sylvia for his 32 years of service, then retracted that statement the next day, underscoring the sensitivity and confusion around the case.
The move follows earlier Hegseth leak accusations against three political appointees that produced no criminal charges, fueling skepticism among some officers about the case against Sylvia.