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| Ayyy-pee: Ex-SEAL to pay $6.6 million to settle case over book |
| 2016-08-21 |
| The former Navy SEAL who wrote a book about his role in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden will pay the government more than $6.6 million for violating non-disclosure agreements and publishing without getting the document cleared by the Defense Department, according to federal court documents. $6.6 million? What proportion is that of the author's royalty? The book triggered a Justice Department probe, including claims it contained classified material. Bissonnette had signed non-disclosure agreements during his service as a SEAL, and he took part in a number of highly secret operations including the bin Laden raid. Under the agreement, Bissonnette said he would acknowledge he made a mistake by failing to submit the book for pre-publication review. And in exchange for the payments, the U.S. government has dismissed other liability claims. Silly SEAL. Trod on reserved turf. Absolutely beyond the pale. These people are loathsome and disgusting. |
| Posted by:Blossom Unains5562 |
| #3 But... but... Osama was killed by Obama! He's really good at killing people! |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2016-08-21 10:42 |
| #2 ....but he would have ultimately written his book. Instead, he frankly decided he could get away with it, and that never works. Period. Unless you are Hillary Clinton. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-08-21 07:24 |
| #1 ...I think enough Rantburgers are familiar with The Way Things Work to understand that this wasn't about secrecy; it was about making an example of Bissonnette. And - understanding that some of my fellow 'Burgers here may disagree with me - although I think the Gummint went way overboard, the bottom line was that Bissonnette was in the wrong. He signed the NDA, and I have signed a few of them myself - there is no, "well, you can tell just a little" clause. You say nothing, ever, without clear and specific permission to do otherwise. Had he gone to the Navy and said, "Look, I'm gonna write this, let's work together on it," it would have ultimately been approved and the SEALS would have had a chance to have one of their own tell the story of one of their greatest triumphs. Yes, he would have had to have it reviewed at every step, yes, he probably would have had to take some things out, but he would have ultimately written his book. Instead, he frankly decided he could get away with it, and that never works. Period. The end result is clear - he will be made an example, and that's the point. Was what he did worth $6.7M USD (there's also 100K he has to come up with in 30 days on top of the primary 6.6M judgement)? Nope. But as far as Your Federal Gummint is concerned, the lesson being taught to anyone else who might have the same bright idea is priceless. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2016-08-21 05:09 |