Investigative reporter Jason Leopold is suing the National Security Agency for refusing to release the financial disclosure statements of recently retired director Gen. Keith Alexander.
The lawsuit comes weeks after news about Alexander’s post-retirement activities revealed he plans to charge private sector companies up to $1 million a month as a cyber-security consultant. While justifying the eyebrow-raising price in an interview with Foreign Policy, Alexander explained he plans to patent multiple technologies that will change the way companies protect themselves from hackers and cyber attacks.
(RELATED: This Is Why Ex-NSA Chief Keith Alexander Can Charge $1 Million A Month For Cyber-Security)
Late last month Florida Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson accused Alexander of using his experience in public service and knowledge of classified state intelligence for personal profit. Leopold is echoing those concerns in his suit, according to Motherboard, and the law offices of Jeffrey Light have served the signals intelligence agency a complaint in Maryland’s federal district court for failing to respond to multiple requests for the information. (RELATED: Congressman Accuses Ex-NSA Head Of Trading Secrets ‘For Profit’)
Grayson has also joined Leopold’s cause, and in a letter to NSA Deputy Counsel Ariana Cerelenko, said the agency is compelled to produce the retired four-star general’s financials under the Ethics in Government Act, unless the president expressly forbids it for national security concerns.
According to reports the White House has exercised no such authority over the Alexander personally or the NSA, which is the only agency out of the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that has yet to release financial disclosure statements.