U.S. Arrests Former NASA Scientist Over Alleged Israel Espionage Bid

By JTA October 20, 2009

U.S. authorities arrested a Defense Department official who allegedly agreed to spy for Israel.

Stewart David Nozette, 52, of Maryland, allegedly told an FBI agent claiming to be an Israeli agent that he had access to U.S. satellite information and had once held top security clearances, news agencies reported on Monday.

Nothing in the complaint suggests that Israel’s government was involved in the alleged crimes.

Nozette, who also worked for NASA, once designed “highly advanced” technology at the Energy Department, Bloomberg reported.

Nozette, arrested by FBI agents on Monday, will appear on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. on charges of attempted spying.

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