Pentagon says a recently discharged senior US general shared classified information about the Iran war and Russia’s war on Ukraine, and that he failed three polygraph tests in an investigation.
Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed from his position as director of strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to a senior defence official.
A Pentagon official, who declined to be identified, claimed Sylvia provided journalists with classified information and that he flunked three polygraph tests administered to determine if he was responsible for the leaks. The issue has been sent to the US Department of Justice for potential legal proceedings.
Department ‘took necessary personnel action to safeguard sensitive information’ against the former State Department spokesperson, Sean Parnell, wrote on social media.
According to the Pentagon, the investigation came after a lengthy probe by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
But two other Pentagon officials questioned the polygraph allegations, CBS News reported. Sylvia was not immediately available for comment.
Sylvia was the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army and a military planning adviser to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
His sacking follows an escalated crackdown on alleged leaks under Hegseth.
