UPDATE - Pentagon refers classified information leak case to Justice Department

ADDS DETAILS FROM WASHINGTON POST REPORT

By Ahmet Salih Alacaci

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Pentagon said Thursday that it took personnel action after investigating the unauthorized disclosure of classified information and referred the case to the Justice Department for possible legal action.

"Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on the US social media platform X, referring to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

He said the matter, along with other cases, had been referred to the Justice Department.

Parnell did not identify the individual involved or provide details, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation.

However, a defense official familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that Parnell's statement was related to the removal of Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia. The Pentagon has not publicly disclosed evidence supporting the allegations against him.

The statement came after US media reported Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had removed Sylvia, a top military strategist, from his post on the Joint Staff.

Sylvia headed the Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known as the J-5, and reported to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

CBS News and Fox News reported Thursday, citing an unnamed Pentagon official, that Sylvia was accused of leaking classified information concerning the wars involving Iran and Ukraine to journalists.

One of Sylvia's colleagues told The Washington Post that the lieutenant general had repeatedly denied leaking classified information but acknowledged having interacted with journalists in the past.

The Justice Department separately confirmed that it had ongoing investigations into possible leaks of classified information and was coordinating with government agencies, including the Pentagon.

Caine's office initially issued a statement Wednesday thanking Sylvia for his 32 years of military service. However, it withdrew the statement Thursday, saying it did not "appropriately reflect the full circumstances."

"Out of respect for the servicemember and the ongoing personnel process, we will not comment further," the office said.

Sylvia's removal comes amid a broader series of dismissals of senior military officers under Hegseth, some of which have occurred without public explanation.

The Post reported that dozens of military officers had undergone polygraph tests during the Iran war as part of the Pentagon's efforts to identify sources of unauthorized disclosures to journalists.

"Classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it," said Parnell.