Japan-based U.S. Navy official charged in bribery scheme

The headline is very misleading. It sounds like the story will be about some politician getting money for awarding defense contracts. This is not really a "bribery scheme", it's classic espionage (spying). And I would hardly call a low-ranking enlisted man a "U.S. Navy Official".

@sensei258 is right. I read headline and found this guy is not even an officer. He is just an enlisted man, not an official, for sure. Just military sailer.

Ha! That peon is far from being a "Navy Official".

Snowden wannabe? I guess those will be increasing now considering the moral turpitude that is the USA. And stupid! Leaving an email trail like that? And these are the people in charge of atom bombs? And protecting Japan? Suddenly I want to support Abe's re-arming Japan.

@Gokai_wo_maneku

Don't over simplify it. Probably the Petty Officer was approached by the contractor "Fat Leonard" in a bar somewhere. Fat Leonard buys the 27 year old a few drinks, and tells him "If you let me know when the ships are scheduled to arrive, I will buy you some cool new toys". So this Fat Leonard guy can manipulate some prices and undercut competitors with this extra info.

It's one American telling a fellow American about ship schedules as a shady business deal, not like Snowden leaking secrets to the whole world.

And yes, the kid was stupid, but then, he didn't think anyone would be reading his private e-mails. He's a logistics guy in charge of maintaining supplie schedules... not a high level guard of any national security knowledge.

Just by the way, a lot of Sailors already broadcast when their ship is going to arrive in port on Facebook and Twitter anyway, or they send messages to women they've slept with in various ports to say "I'm coming back"... so it's nothing out of the ordinary....