A Former National Security Agency Official Pleads Guilty

A former National Security Agency official has agreed to plead guilty in a case that pitted the government's need to keep secrets versus the public's right to know. Thomas Drake had been charged with 10 felony counts, including obstruction of justice, lying to the FBI and illegal possession of classified NSA documents. Drake had pleaded not guilty, and called himself a "whistle blower." Under the agreement, he'll plead guilty to a much lesser charge: exceeding authorized use of a computer. The court documents in the plea deal contain no recommendation on sentencing for Drake, but misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail.