Former CIA Director Leon Panetta is back in the political hot seat with new reports that he leaked classified information regarding the Navy SEAL team that carried out the raid leading to the killing of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
Panetta was speaking at a military event in 2011 when he made remarks regarding Operation Neptune Spear, the codename given to the mission that killed a number of Al Quaida leaders, including bin Laden, not knowing that filmmaker Mark Boal was in the audience of approximately 1,300.
Boal was able to learn highly sensitive information that helped shape the plot in the Hollywood blockbuster "Zero Dark Thirty".
According to a source, Panetta was unaware that persons other than those with the utmost military clearance were attending the event.
"He has no idea who all is in the audience. He was told everyone got the requisite clearance," said the source.
The Pentagon inspector general investigated the incident and has put the findings in a draft report that has not yet been released, but is now in the possession of independent watchdog group the Project on Government Oversight (POGO).
The delay of the report's release raises "concerns the timing has been subject to political considerations," stated POGO.
The findings of this report are crucial as Obama administration critics attacked the president and his top aides claiming they leaked crucial national security information to reinforce Obama's reelection bid.
According to Politico, "Word that Panetta, a key member of Obama's national security team, might have been responsible for improper disclosures without encountering any known repercussions comes as the administration faces questions over the fairness of the aggressive anti-leak investigations and prosecutions being mounted by the Justice Department."
The White House has not made any official statements and, press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday he was not familiar with the case and would have to learn more before responding to reporters.
