Inside the Web of Deceit: How a U.S. Government IT Specialist Became Ethiopia’s Alleged Spy
In an unfolding narrative of subterfuge and betrayal, Abraham Lemma, 50, a U.S. government employee and naturalized citizen, faces arrest on charges of spying for Ethiopia. Lemma’s arrest on August 24, 2023, has set the stage for a wider probe into possible security lapses across various U.S. governmental agencies.
Department of Justice-Image Source: New York Post
Dual Roles with Access to Sensitive Information
Lemma, a resident of Silver Springs, Maryland, has been employed with American government agencies since 2019. Notably, he has held dual roles: serving as an IT help desk technician at the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research during the night, and as a contract management analyst at the Department of Justice during the daytime. Both positions granted him privileged access to classified U.S. intelligence, having held top-secret security clearance since at least 2020.
Investigation Sparked by Unrelated Arrest
The case gained momentum when an unrelated investigation was launched into the Department of State’s management of national defense information. This probe followed the arrest of Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who was charged with leaking Pentagon documents on Discord earlier in the year. In the course of that investigation, Lemma’s alleged activities were unearthed.
US govt IT help desk techie ‘leaked top secrets’ to foreign nation: National defense files can earn you $55K … and espionage charges
A US government worker has been arrested and charged with spying for Ethiopia, according to… #cybersecurity #infosec https://t.co/4Nzd19epI7 pic.twitter.com/g5sE0ymfdH
— Debra Baker, CISSP CCSP GRCP (@deb_infosec) September 22, 2023
The Espionage Activities: A Closer Look
Court documents reveal that between December 19, 2022, and August 7, 2023, Lemma allegedly printed, copied, and downloaded classified and top-secret information, focusing primarily on matters related to Ethiopia. He is accused of sharing this information, which includes satellite imagery, photos of military compounds, and details of military activities in the region, over an encrypted messaging app.
Furthermore, Lemma engaged in discussions with a foreign official via encrypted channels, advising them on military activities of rebel groups. The documents assert that financial transactions, particularly large deposits, appear to coincide with the dates of his alleged activities.
Legal Consequences
Lemma faces a slew of charges including delivering national defense information to aid a foreign government, conspiracy to deliver national defense information, and willful retention of national defense information. If convicted, Lemma’s case may serve as a catalyst for reforming how security clearances are managed and granted, adding yet another layer of scrutiny in a post-9/11 America that is ever-vigilant against internal and external threats.
This case could represent more than just an isolated incident, shedding light on broader systemic vulnerabilities. It serves as a stern reminder that the front lines of national security aren’t always found in distant lands but can be compromised within the offices that are tasked with protecting them.
