A court-martialed Marine who gave a newspaper interview about his role in the theft of government files has been acquitted of disobeying orders.
Pvt. Gary Maziarz (MAY'-zarz) and several other Marines were accused of passing classified intelligence to members of a civilian anti-terrorism group. He pleaded guilty in 2007, spent time in the brig, and after his release gave an interview to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Maziarz was then charged with willfully disobeying an order against publicly discussing the security breach, but a Camp Pendleton jury acquitted him late Tuesday afternoon.
Maziarz denied he was specifically ordered to stay away from the media and said his former lawyer approved the interview.
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Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune, http://www.signonsandiego.com
Source: AP News
