Sterling Family Fund
On January 26, 2015, Jeffrey Sterling was convicted on 9 counts under the Espionage Act for leaking classified information regarding a CIA operation to author James Risen who in 2006, published a book titled “State of War”. The conviction was based entirely on circumstantial evidence. Mr. Risen was not required to testify and the prosecution could produce no documents, no recordings, nothing that directly linked Jeffrey as a source for Mr. Risen's book. In fact, the FBI agent who investigated Jeffrey for over 10 years testified that there was absolutely no evidence that Jeffrey was a source.
He is due to be sentenced on April 24, 2015. His attorneys are currently appealing the conviction. Unfortunately for Jeffrey, he became the government’s primary target because he had the audacity to do two things
He went through appropriate legal channels to address his concerns about a covert CIA operation.
He filed a discrimination lawsuit against the CIA in August of 2001 (two months later he was fired) which was coincidentally thrown out because proof would require release of classified information. Jeffrey contacted Mr. Risen in an effort to have his discrimination story heard. Mr. Risen subsequently did write an article about Jeffrey's lawsuit. Another story was published in the May 20, 2002 issue of “People” magazine. Here is an excerpt:
“Sterling joined the CIA in 1993 and two years later became a case officer in the Iran Task Force. (He was the only black among its more than 20 professionals.) To prepare, he spent a year studying Farsi, the language of Iran. Sent to Bonn in 1997 to recruit Iranians as agents, he grew frustrated when he wasn't given new prospects to recruit. Perplexed, he returned to Langley and confronted his supervisors. “I asked why I wasn't receiving any assignments. They said, “Well, you kind of stick out as a big black guy,” Sterling recalls. “They said, 'You bring unwanted attention to where you're assigned. Everyone in management agreed I was too conspicuous. And I said, “Well, when did you realize that I was black?”
Arrested in 2011, he was fired from his job at Anthem Healthcare. This, after winning an award in 2010 for saving the company over 32 million dollars due to healthcare fraud. He has been unable to get another job. He and his wife Holly lived off their savings and Holly’s income as a social worker for a few years but the money has run out. Their house is on the cusp of foreclosure, they have had to depend on the kindness of family, friends and in some cases total strangers for the money to travel from their home in Missouri to court in Virginia.
I have never met a man with more integrity and more strength in family values. You know when you meet him that he is a man who puts family and honesty above all else. There are many people who believe that Jeffrey was steamrolled because of his color and because he stood up for what he believes in and would not plead guilty to something he did not do.
Please consider making a donation to help Jeffrey’s family to ease the ongoing financial burdens they face.
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He is due to be sentenced on April 24, 2015. His attorneys are currently appealing the conviction. Unfortunately for Jeffrey, he became the government’s primary target because he had the audacity to do two things
He went through appropriate legal channels to address his concerns about a covert CIA operation.
He filed a discrimination lawsuit against the CIA in August of 2001 (two months later he was fired) which was coincidentally thrown out because proof would require release of classified information. Jeffrey contacted Mr. Risen in an effort to have his discrimination story heard. Mr. Risen subsequently did write an article about Jeffrey's lawsuit. Another story was published in the May 20, 2002 issue of “People” magazine. Here is an excerpt:
“Sterling joined the CIA in 1993 and two years later became a case officer in the Iran Task Force. (He was the only black among its more than 20 professionals.) To prepare, he spent a year studying Farsi, the language of Iran. Sent to Bonn in 1997 to recruit Iranians as agents, he grew frustrated when he wasn't given new prospects to recruit. Perplexed, he returned to Langley and confronted his supervisors. “I asked why I wasn't receiving any assignments. They said, “Well, you kind of stick out as a big black guy,” Sterling recalls. “They said, 'You bring unwanted attention to where you're assigned. Everyone in management agreed I was too conspicuous. And I said, “Well, when did you realize that I was black?”
Arrested in 2011, he was fired from his job at Anthem Healthcare. This, after winning an award in 2010 for saving the company over 32 million dollars due to healthcare fraud. He has been unable to get another job. He and his wife Holly lived off their savings and Holly’s income as a social worker for a few years but the money has run out. Their house is on the cusp of foreclosure, they have had to depend on the kindness of family, friends and in some cases total strangers for the money to travel from their home in Missouri to court in Virginia.
I have never met a man with more integrity and more strength in family values. You know when you meet him that he is a man who puts family and honesty above all else. There are many people who believe that Jeffrey was steamrolled because of his color and because he stood up for what he believes in and would not plead guilty to something he did not do.
Please consider making a donation to help Jeffrey’s family to ease the ongoing financial burdens they face.
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As the legacy of one president ends and the story of another one starts, it's a good time to give you and update on Jeffrey.
To be clear, there hasn't been any change in Jeffrey's health. After his initial visit with the cardiologist there have been no additional doctor visits. Jeffrey continues to take his prescribed beta blocker. The Department of Prisons is obligated to provide minimum essential care which under there protocol has been done. The best hope for appropriate medical care will most likely not happen until Jeffrey is released.
On another note, my understanding is that Chelsea Manning will be released in the spring so that is good news for her and her family. Unfortunately, Jeffrey's name was not on the list of people receiving clemency.
Jeffrey's appellate hearing took place in early December. His attorneys did a phenomenal job and there were some pointed questions asked by at least one judge. Our hope is that all three judges believe in Jeffrey's innocence and overturn the verdict on all counts.
Thanks to your support Holly continues to visit Jeffrey monthly. It is always bittersweet because their time together is marred by location and profound sadness and hurt. Jeffrey is a proud American and continues to be befuddled by what has happened. Your cards and letters are a highlight in Jeffrey's day and he is very appreciative so please continue.
I express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support, donations, and kindness.. Blessings to each of you and your families.
To be clear, there hasn't been any change in Jeffrey's health. After his initial visit with the cardiologist there have been no additional doctor visits. Jeffrey continues to take his prescribed beta blocker. The Department of Prisons is obligated to provide minimum essential care which under there protocol has been done. The best hope for appropriate medical care will most likely not happen until Jeffrey is released.
On another note, my understanding is that Chelsea Manning will be released in the spring so that is good news for her and her family. Unfortunately, Jeffrey's name was not on the list of people receiving clemency.
Jeffrey's appellate hearing took place in early December. His attorneys did a phenomenal job and there were some pointed questions asked by at least one judge. Our hope is that all three judges believe in Jeffrey's innocence and overturn the verdict on all counts.
Thanks to your support Holly continues to visit Jeffrey monthly. It is always bittersweet because their time together is marred by location and profound sadness and hurt. Jeffrey is a proud American and continues to be befuddled by what has happened. Your cards and letters are a highlight in Jeffrey's day and he is very appreciative so please continue.
I express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support, donations, and kindness.. Blessings to each of you and your families.
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Sterling family: I have been following closely your case and I applaud your courage for deciding to appeal. I suspect the decision was not easy . I wish I had more comforting words but suffice it to say, you aren't going through this alone. Many are on your side and support you. All the best, Teresa Just a word for all these posts for assistance, help, and money. This is not the appropriate forum to advertise your needs. It is taking advantage of someone's else's situation. While your stories may be compelling, it would be best to find your own place for support.
This outrageous injustice reminds me of the unlawful conviction of Abraham Bolden, the first African American Secret Service agent assigned to the White House detail. He too was framed for a crime that in fact never took place! You can read his sadly familiar story in his 2008 book The Echo From Dealey Plaza. You have my continuing support, especially now during the holidays.
So sorry he did not get off. You will be in my thoughts and I hope there may be changes still to come.
Standing with you today!
Jeffrey, I've been following this travesty closely since January 2011 (thanks largely to updates from Marcy Wheeler, FAS, and Normon Solomon). You and Holly have been very much in my thoughts these past 4 years. The world sees this string of grave injustices. All the best and onward to appeal . . .
We need courageous people like Jeffrey Sterling to stand up for what is right. The quote 'the only thing necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing' comes to mind. Thank you Mr. Sterling , God bless you and your family!
Glad to see the strength and character of Jeffrey and Holly illustrated in this short documentary: http://www.democracynow.org/2015/5/12/exclusive_cia_whistleblower_jeffrey_sterling_speaks. So many of us are behind you!
Greetings! I published a short post today with a link to this site. https://gosint.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/prison-officials-respond-to-cia-whistleblower-jeffrey-sterlings-health-complaint/ The more people know, the better. Courage!
My prayers are with you guys.
My prayers are withyou and your family .
Loose all fear!!! It is your enemy. Your smile is a sword and laughter is nuclear bomb. I'm not sure if this helps you at all but the US government has some very big secrets regarding Iraq that they would like to keep. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=688990974588910&id=688972871257387
Incredible story!!! My prayers are with you and your beloved husband.
Thank God. I am so thankful to hear that things are moving in the right direction. Sterlings, you are in my family's prayers continually. Leann
does he not have the right to see a cardiologist? It may be nothing but a troponin level, (simple blood test) and an addiciotnal EKG is the very least they should perform. Is he on Coumadin for his a-fib or another anti-coagulant? This situation is appalling. To be treated, or rather not be treated, is beyond comprehensible. I don't understand our country anymore. Please persist and good luck.
My heart is with you both. Our country is in bad shape these days. This is not a private prison, is it?
Good morning PLEASE check out this Facebook Page established for Mr. Sterling and his family. Thank you! https://www.facebook.com/Justice-for-CIA-Operative-Jeffrey-Sterling-461403980723858/?ref=br_rs
I'm amy's husband I'm so sick of this country blacks always crying racism if you're a white male in this country that to the racism's against white males aren't even eligible for small business grants why is that I know our country is corrupt and he probably didn't do anything but is nothing to do with the color of his skin I've been fostering and taking care of a young black male since he was 12 years old and he's now in his twenties I'm not racist but I'm tired of people crying racism every time something happens they want to point to the color of your skin is it's not always about the color of your skin and I believe her see if she is corrupt our whole governments but it ain't always about racism in the problem is the white people in this country sit there and say you ever even though you're only in jail cuz you're because of their racist it's awfully funny 50 to 60% of people in prison are colored that's not because of the society's because they're out doing crimes look at Chicago for instance people are getting murdered every day are they all is it all the getting arrested because of racism no it's because they're out shooting each other black-on-black crimes everyday and nobody put guns in their hand and told the shoot everybody in the city of Chicago or to sell drugs on every street corner and they can't blame it on they can't get a job because they don't go looking I'm at three times fell and I can't get a job but I don't sit around and blame it because I'm white
I am shattered to read about the injustices done to you. I will keep you in my prayers and I pray that you will be released asap
Still standing with you, Holly and Jeffrey. (Also left a voicemail at Engelwood and sent e-mail to Warden Denham about medical care.)