Navy lawyer sentenced in Gitmo espionage

May 19, 2007

The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK, VA. — A Navy lawyer so disillusioned with the government's handling of foreign detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that he sent classified information about 550 men in custody there to a civilian attorney was sentenced Friday to six months in prison and dismissed from the service.

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Diaz was convicted Thursday on four of five charges stemming from his actions in early January 2005, while stationed at Guantanamo.

The most serious conviction — violating the Espionage Act by sending classified information to someone not entitled to receive it — carried the possibility of a 10-year sentence.

The four charges carried a maximum 14-year sentence. He began his sentence in the brig Friday night.