Cartwright's attorney: Leak allegations 'preposterous'

Kevin Johnson | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The attorney for the former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, identified as the target of a federal investigation for leaking information about a covert cyber-attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, said Friday that the allegations are "preposterous.''

In a two-sentence statement, attorney Gregory Craig described retired Marine Gen. James "Hoss'' Cartwright as "an American hero.''

"Any suggestion that he could have betrayed the country he loves is preposterous,'' Craig said..

The attorney did not address specific details about the investigation, which was first reported Thursday by NBC News.

A federal official, who is not authorized to comment publicly on the matter so spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the inquiry to USA TODAY Thursday night.

The Justice Department has declined comment.

In June 2012, The New York Times disclosed details about the cyber operation developed by the U.S. and Israel. Cartwright was among those who played a crucial role in the cyber program's management.

The operation directed at Iran, code-named "Olympic Games,'' started under President George W. Bush.

Under President Obama, an attack using the computer virus called Stuxnet temporarily disabled 1,000 centrifuges that the Iranians were using to enrich uranium, according to the Times' account.

The inquiry targeting the general is the latest in a series of controversial leak investigations pursued by the Obama administration.

Last month, the Justice Department acknowledged that it had collected telephone records from about 20 phone lines used by reporters and editors of the Associated Press as part of an inquiry into the news organization's disclosure of classified information about a foiled terror plot in Yemen.

In a separate investigation into disclosures about North Korea's nuclear program, federal investigators designated a Fox News correspondent as a "co-conspirator,'' prompting a wave of criticism.

Attorney General Eric Holder later said that investigators had no intention of prosecuting the reporter.